Specialist doctors threaten strike
AMASSIVE health crisis is looming in Zimbabwe after specialist doctors yesterday threatened to down tools if their demands were not met in the next two weeks.
The doctors said they would join other doctors and nurses already on industrial action.
In a letter dated July 14 2020, the specialist doctors under the banner of Senior Hospital Doctors Association told Acting Health and Child Care minister Amon Murwira that they were finding it difficult to continue working in the absence of other health workers.
They also said they were now exposed to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic as they did not have personal protective equipment.
“As specialist doctors offering services in government hospitals we are finding it difficult to continue offering services in our work stations because of a number of challenges as outlined below,” part of the letter read.
“We have been in discussion with your office and the Health Services Board for which no solution has been profferred.”
Nurses have been on strike for three weeks demanding among others, United States dollar salaries.
“The hospitals are having serious challenges in procuring and providing appropriate personal protective equipment and as such we are unfairly exposed to COVID-19.
“Efforts to get this rectified have been associated with erratic supplies coming in at times. COVID-19 testing for hospital patients remains erratic and the results often take days to come.
“Consequently, we are inundated with patients whom we admit and who endure an inordinately long wait for COVID-19 results and sometimes cannot access some services until the result is out.
“This can lead to poorer outcomes for patients and even unnecessary deaths. At the same time HCWs are put at risk due to issues of inadequate PPE (personal protective equipment) as outlined above.
“We note with concern allegations of massive fraud in the procurement of PPE, drugs and sundries which would have made a life-changing difference to institutions.
“It still remains the responsibility of government to avail to us the necessary tools of the trade for us to function properly and offer quality healthcare service to the population of Zimbabwe in an ethical and professional manner.”