Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa has reiterated government’s commitment to finding a solution to the issue of striking doctors who downed tools over poor working conditions saying his office is seized with the matter.
In an interview with journalists soon after meeting the Turkish Ambassador to Zimbabwe,Kadir Hiyadet Eris who paid a courtesy call at his office at the government offices today.
“Doctors are still striking, and we are trying to work on that issue. The government is very seized at a high lever to try and solve that issue,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
Unconfirmed reports have indicated that outpatients at government hospitals around the country are being turned away while others have been left stranded due to critical staff shortage.
“As far as i am concerned from the latest update, doctors are still on strike, but as government we are promising to work on it,” he said.
Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association gave the government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve doctors’ concerns last month, but however, government turned a deaf ear to them, doctors, which led to them downing tools.
Meanwhile, Addressing the CEO Africa Roundtable Conference in Victoria Falls last week, President Emerson Mnangagwa has promised to work on resolving the issue of striking doctors.
“I have asked Finance Minister to look at government’s savings so to meet their demands,” he said adding that they will do what they can and that the doctors have legitimate concerns.
While Parirenyatwa said government is working to resolve the impasse, Healthcare Secretary Dr. Gerald Gwinji wrote a circular to Civil service beaurea instructing them cease salary and allowances for the striking doctors saying the industrial action which entered its 20th day on Tuesday, was not sanctioned by relevant authorities.
“The withdrawal of services by some doctors entered its 20th day on the 20th of March 2018. Heads of institutions are duly reminded of the provisions of the PSC (Public Service Commission) Circular number 18 of 2000 referenced C/260 which states that all heads of offices, heads of departments and heads of ministries are directed to cease salary and allowances for members who absent themselves from duty without authorized leave of absence,” wrote Gwinji.
Doctors are reportedly to be receiving US$1.50 per hour and $300 per month, an amount which they say is petty and not worthy for what they do.
