French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged mistakes in reforming the national hospital system, which has faced years of cost cuts and whose once-renowned facilities have struggled to treat tens of thousands of virus patients.
Senior doctors faced off Friday with Macron when he visited a leading Paris hospital, demanding more investment and a rethink of a medical system that found itself quickly overwhelmed by the virus crisis.
For months I was asking for equipment, and we had three days to fight against the virus, said Martin Hirsch, head of the Paris hospital network.
As the virus raced across France in March, Macron had to deploy the military to move patients and doctors around the country to relieve saturated hospitals.
Macron's government announced a plan last year to address growing concerns about hospital job cuts and equipment shortages, but acknowledged Friday: We undoubtedly made a mistake in the strategy.
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It was a great strategy, but we should have done it 10 years ago, he told frustrated doctors at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital.
Macron promised to kick off a new investment plan while the virus crisis is still raging, without offering details.
French authorities say more than 27,000 people with the virus have died in hospitals and nursing homes.
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