Return to work, Govt appeals to striking doctors

via Return to work, Govt appeals to striking doctors | The Herald 11 November 2014 by Diana Nherera

GOVERNMENT is appealing to striking doctors to return to work and help save lives as it looks into their grievances. Doctors in Government hospitals downed tools a fortnight ago paralysing the public health delivery system.

Patients are being turned away at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Harare Central Hospital.

The situation is reportedly the same at all Government hospitals throughout the country.

Those with money receive treatment from private hospitals while others flock to council clinics.

Health and Child Care Secretary Retired Brigadier-General Gerald Gwinji yesterday met with the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association in Harare and appealed to them to return to work.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care is appealing to doctors for them to return to work while we continue to look into their grievances,” said Rtd Brig-Gen Gwinji.

The meeting was part of on-going negotiations between ZHDA and Government.

Rtd Brig-Gen Gwinji said the meeting was not about how much or when the striking doctors would get their new allowances but an appeal for them to return to work as lives were being lost as a result of the strike.

He said ZHDA was expected to meet the ministry again after briefing its constituency on Government’s plea.

Doctors were offered $10 per hour as their new on-call allowances from the current 35 cents.

They were also offered a risk allowance against diseases such as Ebola, tuberculosis and HIV and Aids.

Rtd Brig-Gen Gwinji said although doctors from the uniformed forces were assisting when requested to by public hospitals, they were unable to cope with the number of patients.

But the striking doctors yesterday vowed not to return to work without a written commitment from Government.

ZHDA media and publicity officer, Mr Francis Rwodzi said the association was unable to convince striking doctors to return to work without a written commitment.

“Doctors are ready to start work any moment but the ball is in the employer’s court. We view this crisis as very serious as it flies in the face of Zim-Asset, one of its key pillars being access to health services,” said Mr Rwodzi.

The doctors are unhappy with their remuneration and working conditions. They are demanding a salary increment of $1 200 a month from the current $282.

They also want an increase in their monthly housing allowance from $250 to $350.

The doctors are further demanding that Government allows them to import vehicles duty free.