Workers on strike at Chile's public hospitals

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- Public hospitals in Chile are facing a strike that is slowing attention to patients.

Paramedics, technicians and other workers went on strike Tuesday to demand better working conditions and filling of vacancies.

Doctors have not joined the walkout.

Union leader Carlos Castro says about 80 percent of the 65,000 workers joined the strike. Deputy Health Minister Ricardo Fabrega put the figure at 20 percent.

Emergency services were not affected, but Fabrega says many non-urgent surgeries had to be rescheduled.

Around 85 percent of Chile's 16 million people depend on public health services. E-mail to a friend

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