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Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
THE Health Service Board (HSB) has said Treasury has agreed to adjust the cost of living allowances and provide health specific allowances to end the countrywide doctors’ strike that started yesterday.
According to the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association, doctors manning all Government hospitals are not in a position to go to work due to inadequate salaries and allowances.
However, in an interview yesterday, HSB chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikhosana said negotiations are continuing to ensure that vulnerable members of the public do not suffer.
“We had an agreement with them as the Health Apex committee on the adjustment on the cost of living. The collective agreement, however, had conditionalities where doctors said they are not satisfied and we have since sent a request to Treasury which has been accepted,” said Dr Sikhosana.
“We have already submitted the key scale salary document to Treasury that they provide for an adjustment and it has concurred saying resources are available to cater for the adjustments presented in the request.”
According to Dr Sikhosana, HSB has also noted the request by doctors to have their cost of living allowances adjusted for the last quarter of the year.
“That will depend on the ability of the economy and treasury to absorb the costs. So in the long term depending on the performance of the economy the Government has the intention to ensure all civil servants are able to have remuneration that will sustain in this country,” added Dr Sikhosana. — @thamamoe.
Online Reporter