VIDEO : Watch: Hundreds of thousands rally for public health in Madrid

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Madrid on Sunday in defense of the region’s primary health care services, warning that plans to overhaul the system would “destroy” local healthcare.

Primary health care services in the Madrid area have been under enormous pressure for years due to lack of resources and staff, and unions say the situation has worsened due to poor regional management.

A regional government spokesman said 200,000 people took to the streets, but the organizers gave a figure three times higher, saying that 650,000 demonstrators joined the protest.

Aerial footage over the main boulevards leading to City Hall showed a huge sea of ​​protesters pouring in from all directions.

“Your health should never depend on your wallet,” read one huge green banner, while others read: “Health care is not for sale, it must be protected,” as thousands of voices demanded the resignation of the right-wing leader of the region, Isabelle Diaz. Ayuso