PROTESTERS have marched in Madrid against a a new government measure restricting free health care for some immigrants, which has already provoked a revolt by some doctors and regional health bodies.

Hundreds of people demonstrated noisily against the measure, which will limit access to free health care for immigrants without full legal status in Spain. Other Spanish cities also hosted demonstrations.

Previously, such immigrants had access to free care in the public health system. From Saturday however only children, pregnant women and people needing emergency medical care will be eligible: others will have to pay.

Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government introduced the new restrictions as part of its austerity program to tackle the country's debt crisis.

But seven of Spain's 17 regional health authorities have already said they will not implement the measure and many doctors and nurses have insisted they will continue to treat those affected by the change for free.

Rights groups Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) and Amnesty International have also denounced the new measure as a violation of basic rights.

In a joint statement together with several other rights groups, they warned that the cuts "...could cost lives, because they will leave thousands of people without access to the health system".

And an internet petition for Spanish health professionals vowing to stand by those affected by the change has so far attracted 1885 signatures.

"My loyalty towards my patients does not allow me to fail in may ethical and professional duty ...," says the online manifesto.

Health professionals were among those marching in Madrid and so too were some of those hit by the change.

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Hundreds protest Spanish health cuts