Public Health Minister Dr. Sabino Baez called the head of the medical association (CMD), Waldo Ariel Suero, a “blackmailer” following the breakdown of recent talks aimed at settling a long-running salary dispute. The doctors and other medical personnel are planning a walkout today. Dr. Baez told reporters: “We have made offers that have not been accepted”. He said that his ministry has stopped firing doctors and that in fact many of those dismissed over the past few months had been returned to service. In addition, the Ministry of Public Health is improving hospital conditions. Doctors in the Dominican state health system, including apprentice interns, specialists and residents all earn less than US$550 per month, but likewise many work an hour or two, and others are known to miss several days when they should be at work. Yesterday, during a press conference, the head of the Dominican Medical College told reporters that his members would hold a 24-hour strike in protest against the lack of progress in negotiations. The medical strike affects public-funded hospitals nationwide serving people on a low income.