Hundreds of people join the campaign for the reinstatement of health care with a protest group on Facebook

Thousands of people in the Valencia region are battling the regional health authority’s decision to withdraw healthcare, and putting a private insurance scheme in its place at a cost of 270 euros a quarter each for all family members including children.

PUMA22, an action group made up of ordinary people aiming to get the decision reversed, has renewed its efforts to bring the plight of mainly British and Irish citizens affected to the attention of the authorities.

In December protesters marched to the British Consulate in Alicante and presented a letter to the Ambassador to Spain Mr Giles Paxman.

Further demonstrations are planned, with a march in Alicante and a hunger protest at the parliamentary offices there.

Meanwhile Mr Paxman has written to the group and a meeting between UK officials and PUMA22 members is planned for later this month.

Tha Facebook campaign, titled Sick and Abandoned – Ex-pats in Spain, has attracted more than 250 members in less than one week and is being supported by many people in Britain, Spain and from Australia, the USA, and South Africa.

The group site has links to news stories about people affected by the withdrawal of health care and refers to people being charged 50 euros to see a doctor and others having their health cards snatched back or cut up. Others have been refused treatment for cancer and turned away from hospitals.

Founder members Mr Bill Bridges said the Facebook campaign was part of the PUMA22 group’s increased efforts to persuade the authorities to reverse the decision.

‘There have been some dreadful incidents reported to us here at PUMA22, where people have had their healthcare suddenly terminated whilst in the middle of serious illnesses and treatments,’ he said.

‘We at PUMA22 are having a meeting shortly to plan our next public moves, so watch this space.’

For updated information on the group’s activities visit puma22.org

Corry Granger