Striking doctors end strike

Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
DOCTORS have finally reached a breakthrough in salary negotiations with their employer to end their three-week strike that had caused immense suffering to patients at public hospitals countrywide.

They were demanding a salary increment from $280 to $1,200 per month and a review of on-call and risk allowances. They also wanted the government to allow them to import vehicles duty-free.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association media and publicity officer Francis Rwodzi yesterday said the employer had managed to review risk allowances and some adjustments had been made in other areas but refused to divulge more information. This means that the doctors resume work today.

“We are going back to work tomorrow. We are not going to mention any figures but basically the employer has reviewed risk allowances and some adjustments have been made,” said Rwodzi.

According to a ZHDA statement, more than 150 doctors attended a meeting yesterday which reflected on the ongoing negotiations between their representatives and employer.

At the meeting held at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, doctors resolved that they go back to work while negotiations continue. Members acknowledged the progress made in the negotiations. The doctors agreed that ZHDA executive needed to have a calendar which would help review progress in negotiations.

“It was resolved that there is need for the ZHDA executive to come up with a negotiating calendar where benchmarks must be set to review progress on matters that are still grossly outstanding,” said the statement.

Rwodzi said their going back to work was a painful compromise and as doctors they felt “sorry for the suffering innocent patients” who were turned away in numbers.

He added that doctors were going to carry out their usual shifts as from today.

“Cognisant of the suffering most innocent patients have been going through, the ZHDA membership unanimously resolved that with immediate effect all its striking members will resume their duties as per their normal schedules whilst they painfully compromise and await the implementation of the rectified package,” reads the statement.

Doctors also said they will continue to be a key player in the provision of adequate health services to the people of Zimbabwe. The association said it will continuously mobilise its members to make the government uphold its duties in providing the right to health.

“ZHDA will continuosly mobilise its members to make the government uphold its duties as the duty bearer of providing the right to health. This will only be achieved through a motivated, efficient and well equipped personnel,” reads the statement. .