Hundreds march in Moscow to protest against healthcare and education reforms
Muscovites are marching through the Russian capital.
They're protesting against new healthcare and education reforms that threaten to close numerous hospitals and schools.
This sign with the body on the trolley reads "Without accessible healthcare, there is no Russia."
Some marchers are calling for a return to the Soviet healthcare system.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ANATOLY BARANOV, SAYING:
"The result of this genocide of the profession is the increase in the mortality rate. We have higher mortality rates than in the Soviet Union, life expectancy is lower, morbidity is lower, mortality among children is higher."
The protests began in mid-October when a document attributed to the city government announced plans to close 28 medical institutions, including 15 hospitals.
Moscow's 2014-2016 investment program has allocated just four percent of planned investments to healthcare.
They're protesting against new healthcare and education reforms that threaten to close numerous hospitals and schools.
This sign with the body on the trolley reads "Without accessible healthcare, there is no Russia."
Some marchers are calling for a return to the Soviet healthcare system.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ANATOLY BARANOV, SAYING:
"The result of this genocide of the profession is the increase in the mortality rate. We have higher mortality rates than in the Soviet Union, life expectancy is lower, morbidity is lower, mortality among children is higher."
The protests began in mid-October when a document attributed to the city government announced plans to close 28 medical institutions, including 15 hospitals.
Moscow's 2014-2016 investment program has allocated just four percent of planned investments to healthcare.