Doctors have threatened to down tools should the government fail to honour its promise on the appointment of junior doctors and poor working conditions.
In a press statement the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association advised its members to commence the industrial action on Wednesday the 15th of February after the government failed to respond to the notice that was handed a few weeks ago.
The strikes comes at a time the country is grappling with typhoid outbreak that has reportedly claimed two lives and left over 200 in hospitals.
“In light of the recommendations gathered from the nationwide consultations and guided by the notice and petition served to the minister of Health and the Health Service Board (HSB) more than two weeks ago, the association wishes to announce with effect from Wednesday 15 February, there shall be a fully-fledged nationwide industrial action,” read the circular.
“All doctors from the consultant level upwards are advised to cooperate as this historic action will prevent the ensuing cancerous destruction of our profession.”
The doctors have three specific demands which are: “All doctors who have completed internship must never have their contracts of employment terminated or else be given open practicing certificates upon completion of internship.
“The current on call allowance be revised upwards to a minimum of $720 for the lowest paid doctor. The HSB urgently implements the agreed duty free framework for all government doctors.”
With both a growing disease burden and population, doctors in Zimbabwe have become overwhelmed with work.
