ISSSTE workers and beneficiaries block Hermosillo street, demand federal response

Health workers, teachers, and beneficiaries of the ISSSTE (Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers) blocked Boulevard Morelos in Hermosillo, demanding federal government action to address a crisis at the "Dr. Fernando Ocaranza" hospital. The protest, which began around 7:00 AM, caused a one-hour closure of the thoroughfare in both directions.

Demonstrators explained they returned to the streets because previous actions, including a blockade on June 15, had not yielded fundamental solutions from federal authorities. They highlighted persistent problems such as electrical system failures, a lack of air conditioning, deteriorating facilities, and insufficient equipment, all of which compromise medical care and staff working conditions.

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The current conditions represent a risk for patients and workers.

While the Sonora state government, under Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño, has implemented some emergency measures like installing air conditioning units, protesters assert these actions are insufficient. They argue that the hospital's core structural issues require resources and decisions from the federal government, which oversees the ISSSTE's operations. The current conditions, they warned, pose a significant risk to both patients and staff.

Luis Arturo Maldonado, an intensive care nurse and spokesperson for the movement, stated that state government officials have engaged in dialogue, but representatives from the ISSSTE and the federal government have yet to present a concrete plan. The group is demanding a working session with federal officials empowered to allocate resources and make written commitments. They seek a clear timeline for actions, including budget allocation, staff hiring, equipment provision, and facility rehabilitation.

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We will maintain pressure until we obtain a formal response from the Federal Government and concrete solutions to overcome the problems.