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Thousands protest against Russian health cuts

By: clo in ALEA | Recommend this post (0)
Tue, 02 Dec 14 3:21 PM | 24 view(s)
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Thousands protest against Russian health cuts

Thousands of Russians have staged marches in Moscow and other cities in protest at health reforms which include plans to close hospitals and cut jobs.

Doctors, unionists and supporters of parties across the political spectrum took part, despite bitter cold.

Authorities say the reforms can improve care by concentrating specialists in better hospitals, but doctors fear they are only intended to save money.

Russia's budget is under pressure from Western sanctions and low oil prices.

Last week Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the falling oil price was costing Russia $100bn (£64bn) a year.

He said sanctions - imposed after the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and stepped up over Moscow's role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine - were costing $40bn.

Meanwhile the national currency, the rouble, fell to more than 50 to the US dollar on Friday.

more with pictures of protesters:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30269339




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