Harare: Zimbabwe doctors have embarked on a full-blown strike, with those that had remained at hospital attending emergency cases joining their colleagues protesting poor working conditions.
“The ZHDA is recalling all the doctors we had instructed to remain at their stations to cover for emergencies. This in effect implies that from tomorrow, day 14 of the strike all consultants, registrars, district medical officers and general medical officers are now formally joining the strike,” the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said in a statement.
The ZHDA demanded the resignation of Health minister, David Parirenyatwa and the entire Health Services Board (HSB) for failing to address their concerns, and engaging in a “failed strategy of issuing legally void threats.”
“Meetings with higher authorities are being sought and all members are encouraged to remain resolute and duty-bound to restore the dignity of the doctors’ profession. We will only return to work when all issues raised by the ZHDA have been FULLY resolved,” the ZHDA added.
The strike by doctors has paralyised operations at hospitals, with nurses also now threatening to join the strike in protest over almost similar concerns and the workload.
The ZHDA however said any intended strike by other health professionals should not be linked to their protest.
“Any other strikes by other associations such as nurses or paramedics are not in any way linked to the doctors demands and no blanket negotiations or conflation of the separate demands will be entertained. Any maneuvers to the contrary or insinuations by other health associations will not be tolerated,” the ZHDA added.
