Nurses, junior doctors divided over strike

Talent Gore

NURSES and junior doctors are divided over the industrial action, which started yesterday, with the majority reporting for duty.

Some of the nurses and junior doctors did not heed the call by their health unions, who called for a strike, last week.

The industrial action comes at a time when Government has gazetted a new Statutory Instrument for a Collective Bargaining Agreement. One nurse, who identified herself as Sister Mugabe, said it was not necessary to go on strike.

“I don’t understand why we should go on strike. Yes, we want better working conditions but going on strike won’t solve anything,” she said.

“Some people went to the Health Services Board to protest, as of now some of those people are now back at the hospital, and are actually doing rounds at the wards.

“We were told that there is going to be a meeting tomorrow whereby the authorities will address us as the health workers.”

On Sunday, the Health Services Boards made a last-ditch attempt to stop nurses from striking when its chairperson, Paulinus Sikosana, issued a statement pleading for patience from the health workers.

“Please be advised that the board and, indeed Government, is committed to the resumption of negotiations, and you will be notified as soon as the process, which is now at an advanced stage, is complete,” reads the statement.

Speaking during the protests at the (HSB) Headquarters at Parirenyatwa Groups of Hospital, Health APEX panel leader, Dr Tapiwanashe Kusotera, said working under the prevailing inflation was unsustainable. According to the Zimbabwe Health Apex Council, meetings to negotiate salary adjustments were last held in April last year.

“It is important that we remind you that we have not had a bipartite meeting since April 2021.

“This is despite our repeated efforts to engage the board. 

“We have written to you more than five times requesting a meeting to no avail,” Dr Kusotera said.

No comment could be obtained from Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr John Mangwiro, at the time of going to press.