A meeting yesterday failed to produce an agreement between the Dominican Medical Association (AMD) and Public Health Minister Altagracia Guzmán Marcelino concerning the doctors’ demands for a substantial pay raise. AMD is demanding a raise of RD$15,000 per month for most doctors, and RD$25,000 more per month for service chiefs and specialists. Guzmán yesterday only offered raises between RD$1,500-2,000 per month, and that contingent on Congressional approval for new taxes to pay for the raise. AMD ridiculed the offer and said that its Executive Committee will meet today to plan a new round of protest actions, including strikes, to force the government to come to terms.
