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Nduduzo Tshuma and Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporters
THE government has given hospitals permission to engage army and police doctors as the strike by junior doctors entered its second day yesterday. The doctors went on strike on Monday demanding a salary increase saying the lowest junior doctor earns $282 per month, which they want raised to $1,200. Mpilo Central Hospital Clinical director, Dr Wedu Ndebele said police and army doctors were already working at the hospital.
He said the striking doctors were mostly in their first and second year of practice.
Dr Ndebele said they had since re-arranged shifts for senior doctors and consultants in order to meet demand for services.
“We have staff working extra shifts to try and manage the effects of the strike with senior doctors and consultants on rotation,” he said.
The situation was reportedly the same at United Bulawayo Hospitals which has also been given the green light to engage police and army doctors.
Last night, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association executive members (ZHDA) and the Minister of Health and Childcare Dr David Parirenyatwa were locked in a meeting over the job action.
ZHDA media and publicity officer Francis Rwodzi said they had established lines of communication with the government but no concrete offers were tabled.
Dr Parirenyatwa could not be reached for comment.
Online Reporter