(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 20 - Unions representing Italian doctors and nurses said a nationwide strike called on Wednesday to protest against the government's 2025 budget bill has been respected by huge numbers of the country's health workers.
    The Anaao Assomed, Cimo-Fesmed and Nursing Up said up to 85% of medical personnel were taking part in the strike in parts of the country.
    "It's an important signal that should lead to a reflection on the unacceptable working conditions in hospitals and the reasons for the protest," the unions said.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni has said opposition parties have been spreading "falsehoods" about the bill, saying it gives unprecedented funding to the national health service.
    The government says 6.4 billion in extra funding is being pumped into healthcare over the next two years, taking national health funding up to all-time highs of 136.48 billion euros in 2025 and 140.6 billion in 2026. The opposition and some medical associations say that health spending in relation to GDP is down and argue that the money is insufficient to meet the sector's needs. (ANSA).