In a gripping account, Artur, a neonatal doctor with seven years of experience, details the immense pressure and fatigue he endured during a night shift in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He recounts the struggles with two extremely premature infants weighing only 500-600 grams, which took him over 10 hours to stabilize. By the end of his 14-hour shift, Artur felt overwhelmed and longed for a relief that could provide the mental and physical capacity necessary for such urgent care.

This narrative is set against the backdrop of a larger labor dispute between medical unions and Spain's Ministry of Health, which has implemented controversial changes to night shift requirements. The unions are currently staging a strike to protest these mandatory night shifts, arguing that the health system's long hours and stressful conditions are unsustainable and detrimental to both patient care and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The issue has sparked significant debate in Spanish society about the adequacy and safety of the public healthcare system.

Artur's experience shines a light on the human side of healthcare workers under strain, revealing how systemic issues directly impact the lives of vulnerable patients and the professionals dedicated to their care. As the strikes and negotiations unfold, the implications for both public health and the labor rights of medical professionals are becoming increasingly critical, urging a reevaluation of current policies concerning work conditions in healthcare.