Riot police have blocked hundreds of doctors and nurses from marching to Venezuela’s presidential palace to protest against low pay and shortages of medical supplies amid the nation’s deepening crisis.

Thursday’s demonstration in Caracas was the first attempt by protesters to reach the presidential palace since massive anti-government protests last year.

The medical professionals are demanding action by President Nicolas Maduro, who is overseeing a crisis marked by widespread shortages and mass migration from the country.

Venezuela Protest
A woman holds up a sign in front of a line of police officers during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

The once-wealthy oil-producing nation is in crisis economically and politically after two decades of socialist rule.

Rows of heavily armed riot police blocked roughly 400 medical professionals shortly after launching their march.

Ana Rosario Contreras of the Association of Illnesses says they are demanding the government provide basic supplies to treat patients.

The protest ended without violence.