HIV patients in dilemma as council strike continues

The workers have gone into the third month without pay as on Monday they were supposed to receive their April salaries.

The strike, which entered its third day yesterday, has crippled service delivery in the city, including council- run clinics.

The closure of the council clinics, which are essential in the provision of medication such the Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), has brought panic that a new strain of TB would develop.

“We fear for our lives as we need a constant supply of anti-retroviral drugs. The local authority should take into cognisance that there is a TB strain that is resistant to some medication and those who have been receiving treatment cannot afford to miss a day without taking the drugs,” said Mr Dumisani Nkomo, a popular HIV and Aids activist in the city.

He said the strike showed the callous nature of the people that were in the health services department as they were not worried about the welfare of their patients.

“These people are after money. They only want to work when there is money. They do not have compassion for us and they should consider that there are people who need these drugs,” said Mr Nkomo.

He described the closure of the council clinics as very dangerous and urged the Government to intervene.

“The situation is dire, we cannot wait any longer, the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare should step in and urge the local authority to open the clinics,” said Mr Nkomo.

He said the council clinics were for people to get medication in their areas.

“The clinics were identified to give such medication in the locality of the people, but now the same clinics have been closed. People are now flocking to United Bulawayo Hospitals to get the drugs,” said Mr Nkomo.

He blamed the problems bedevilling the local authority on poor planning, saying the council management set unrealistic salaries.

“The possibility of the strike reoccurring is high because of their poor planning. There is an imbalance between income and expenditure as they set unrealistic salaries that they cannot meet,” said Mr Nkomo.

He said the next step for patients was to sue the local authority.

“If this situation continues unabated, then I will lead people living with HIV and Aids in taking the local authority to court. Our lives cannot be held to ransom by these people,” said Mr Nkomo, who said he got his medication at UBH.

The strike has also affected burials as a visit to West Park Cemetery yesterday revealed that the bereaved were digging graves themselves.

“The council should be more responsible. We are now digging the grave for ourselves and it is a laborious process. We can not wait for the council to solve their chaos as they seem to be taking their time,” said a man who asked not to be named.

Hundreds of council workers spent the day yesterday lying on the lawn at Tower Block grounds.

The workers only dispersed at about 4.30pm after an address by their representatives, who told them to return to the same place today as the strike was continuing.

The Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union, secretary-general, Mr Moses Mahlangu, said there was still a stalemate in negotiations with the management.

He said workers would continue with the strike today and they would be gathered at Tower Block waiting for their demands to be met. “There is a stalemate my friend. Our demands have not been met so tomorrow we shall gather here and wait for our money,” said Mr Mahlangu.

He said he had warned the local authority of the effects of not responding to their demands.

“How can someone survive for three months without being paid? We are expected to do the same amount of work as if we are being paid. “I warned them three weeks back and no one took me seriously. The strike affects a lot of people,” said Mr Mahlangu.

Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo described the strike as unfortunate. He said it did not matter what it cost but the impasse should be resolved soon.

“It is an unfortunate development. We are working on a solution to get to an agreement at whatever cost,” said Clr Moyo.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Politburo and secretary for education Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, condemned the strike and called on workers to return to work.

“I would like to urge the council and the workers to find a way in resolving this issue. It is not good that workers should down their tools at this crucial moment where cooperation is needed to serve our international visitors during the trade fair. “I call upon the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo to intervene and help out the council so that workers are granted their wishes,” said Dr Ndlovu.