Over 30,000 people marched through the streets of Madrid on Sunday, calling for urgent reforms in the city’s public healthcare system. The protest was led by the citizens’ group “Vecinas y vecinos de los barrios y pueblos” and united people from across the city. Marchers came from all four corners of the capital and gathered in the center under the banner “Let’s save our public health.” The peaceful action aimed to raise awareness about ongoing problems in hospitals and clinics, including long delays, staff shortages, and growing private sector involvement.
Protesters accused the Madrid regional government of weakening public healthcare services by underfunding and privatizing key areas. They highlighted that more than one million people remain stuck on waiting lists, with many unable to access timely care. Tens of thousands of children reportedly do not have assigned pediatricians, and similar gaps exist for adult care. According to protester Luis López, urgent attention must be given to primary care, and he called for at least 25% of the total health budget to be directed there.
Ricardo Chacón, one of the organizers, said healthcare decisions are increasingly being made based on private business interests rather than patient needs. “Public health should serve the people, not profit margins,” he said. Organizers explained that focusing on prevention and early treatment is both cost-effective and better for public health. They called for a system based on quality, fairness, and equal access, not profit-driven contracts.
The protest drew strong support from several political groups and unions. Left-leaning parties such as the Socialist Party, Más Madrid, and Podemos joined the demonstration and urged immediate action. Reyes Maroto of the Socialist Party emphasized the need to protect those who cannot afford private healthcare. “We are here to support the thousands still waiting for appointments,” she said.
Más Madrid’s Manuela Bergerot shared statistics showing the extent of the crisis: 139,000 children have no assigned pediatrician, and over 625,000 adults lack access to a family doctor. She linked the crisis to the rise of private health groups and contracts made by the current regional administration. Bergerot specifically criticized the ties between the Quirón health group and people close to Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
Podemos leader Irene Montero addressed the crowd with a strong message: “Without public healthcare, there’s no democracy or dignity.” She warned that growing privatization puts universal treatment at risk and weakens the foundations of public service. Montero stressed that care should never depend on someone’s income or background.
The protest underlined a rising political conflict over the future of healthcare in Spain’s wealthiest region. Many demonstrators said they are tired of repeated cuts and broken promises. They want increased investment in public hospitals, more doctors and nurses, and shorter waiting times for all. Several speakers argued that the current system fails because it puts profits before patients. Others pointed out that preventive care and community clinics have been neglected for too long.
People in the crowd carried signs calling for justice, fairness, and strong public health protections. They chanted slogans demanding that the government reverse privatization steps and return control of healthcare to the people. Many said they would keep pushing until real changes are made. The demonstration showed that thousands of residents are ready to stand up for accessible, quality healthcare.