adminEllah Mukwati and Lisa Shirichena
Sanity has returned to Premier Services Medical Investments hospitals and clinics after striking doctors returned to work following a $5 million injection by the parent company, Premier Services Medical Aid Society, earlier this week. Business had been affected at the PSMI hospitals and clinics since November 23 as doctors and other staff protested over unpaid salaries stretching for over five months.
The arrears accrued owing to outstanding money owed to PSMAS by the Government. The situation improved after Government paid part of the debt and PSMAS forwarded the money to PSMI as part of clearing its own debt to its subsidiary. A visit to some of the PSMI clinics in Harare yesterday showed that the workers were going about their duties as normal.
PSMI said in a statement that workers at its clinics across the country had resumed duty. “PSMI is pleased to inform its valued stakeholders that our practitioners are back at work,” said the firm. “Management and staff have reached an understanding that they resume their work while we work round the clock to address their grievances.
“Normal service at all our units throughout the country has been restored. We have made plans to ensure that such business disruptions will not happen again in future.
“We would like to express our gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and understanding during these difficult times. PSMI remains a viable business entity, retaining pole position in the private health care service sector in Zimbabwe and we intend to maintain that position.”
PSMI said their important objective remains that of providing affordable private healthcare services to all in Zimbabwe through teamwork and innovation. PSMI business development and customer relations manager Mr Nhamo Marandu said that they paid workers last Friday.
“We paid their salaries and we are happy that our customers are now receiving their health services on time,” he said. “We are hoping to get more money from PSMAS to make sure our stocks are full and be able to pay workers the remaining salary arrears.”
Online Reporter