WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Hundreds of doctors have marched through Poland's capital of Warsaw to demand higher spending on health care to cut waiting times for medical procedures and stem the flow of underpaid doctors seeking jobs abroad.

Polish media say some people have died as they waited to be admitted to the hospital, and some children's and obstetrician wards are slated to be closed due to a shortage of doctors and nurses.

The protesters, some clad in white doctors' smocks, carried banners that read "We want to treat patients in Poland" and "Stop deaths in waiting lines" as they marched Saturday from the Health Ministry to parliament. They left a petition there demanding that 6.8% of Poland's gross national product be spent on health care.

The ruling conservative government aims to spend 6% by 2024.