The Dominican Medical Association (AMD) has called for a 24-hour work stoppage today by all doctors in all public hospitals and clinics in the Cibao region. During the 24-hour period beginning at 8 am this morning, doctors will only attend emergencies. Private clinics are not affected. A similar work stoppage was held in Santo Domingo last week, and is part of an AMD effort to pressure President Fern?ndez to negotiate directly with them regarding a pay hike they are demanding. Prior negotiations with Public Health Minister Altagracia Guzm?n Marcelino were recently broken off by AMD the doctors group say that it no longer trusts her to negotiate in good faith and will only deal with the President.