Dominican Republic: Doctors launch third strike this month for better pay

More than 14,000 Dominican public hospital doctors went on strike for the third time in March to demand wage hikes and better working conditions. Doctors hope their three-day strike will persuade the government to double their salaries to $1,700 a month and improve deteriorating conditions at public hospitals hit hard by the nation's 2003 economic crisis. More than 16,000 doctors work in Dominican public hospitals, and most of the population relies on them for medical care. Treatment is now continuing only in emergency cases.