Back to previous page
Back to health news main page
Mongolian protestors demand health minister resign
By Jargal Byambasuren
Last Updated: 2010-03-11 11:01:19 -0400 (Reuters Health)
ULAN BATOR (Reuters) - Hundreds of protesters gathered in Ulan Bator's central Sukhbatar Square on Thursday to demand the resignation of Mongolia's health minister for failing to curtail the spread of the H1N1 strain of influenza.
The first demonstration in the heart of the capital since post-election riots in July 2008 ended peacefully, but protesters warned of further unrest if the government did not meet their demands by April 19.
Mongolians were shaken by the late but sudden onset of H1N1 in October, before the country had procured supplies of vaccine. About 30 Mongolians have died from the flu strain so far, while the country's first donated vaccine shipment from the World Health Organisation only arrived in January.
Protesters with banners also blamed Health Minister Lamjaviin Gundalai for deaths of five newborns earlier this year from infections due to unsanitary conditions in the city's central maternity hospital.
The Confederation of Civil Movements also called for an audit of government finances and the reinstitution of an allowance for families with children.
Mongolia has suffered a severe winter this year, while having to trim government spending due to a budget shortfall after the global financial crisis hurt prices for its commodity exports
Back to previous page
Back to health news main page
Copyright © 2001-2010 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.