JUNIOR doctors at public hospitals yesterday stepped up
their strike for better working conditions and remuneration, forcing some major
hospitals to close down key departments and discharge “stable” patients.
Some senior doctors have also joined in the industrial
action, which started on December 1.
The United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) resorted to drastic
measures, which included shutting down their outpatients department and
releasing patients considered safe on treatment as outpatients.
In a notice to heads of departments and all wards,
consultant physician Narcisious Dzvanga, who is also the director of clinical
services at the hospital, said the strike had forced them to close down some
departments.
“Continue with emergency operations only,” he said in a
notice to hospital personnel.
“Management appreciates the burden on the middle level
staff and the consultants as well as the need for continued care for the
critically ill patients.”
At Harare Central Hospital, only nine out of 100 junior
doctors turned up for work, while the rest stayed away in solidarity with their
striking counterparts.
Harare Central Hospital chief executive Nyasha Masuka said
some senior members of staff had stepped in to cover the gap.
“Our senior staff members are now taking over the duties
and responsibilities of the junior doctors,” he said.
The situation was also similar at Parirenyatwa Group of
Hospitals, with the few senior doctors taking over most of the work as more
junior doctors stayed away.
A staff member said the situation was now grave and
marathon meetings were being held to come up with a speedy solution.
“They are trying to figure out how to handle this
potentially crippling situation,” she said.
Doctors in Mutare also joined the nationwide strike. When NewsDay visited Mutare Provincial Hospital yesterday
morning, some junior doctors were gathered at the car park, but were not
working.
Nurses at the major referral centre in Manicaland, who
spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were overwhelmed.
“Doctors are now on strike, so we are struggling to do our
jobs and we are overwhelmed. This issue must be addressed as soon as possible,”
a nurse told NewsDay.
Desperate patients were unattended to at the hospital.
Manicaland provincial medical director Patron Mafaune was
locked in a series of meetings and did not pick up calls.
It was a similar situation at Sakubva District Hospital. However, doctors in the Midlands province have not yet
joined the strike.
Commenting on the situation in the province, provincial
medical director Simon Nyadundu said: “Doctors have reported for duty in all
parts of the province.”
Health minister Obadiah Moyo was said to be in a meeting,
while Health ministry secretary Gerald Gwinji was unreachable for comment.
The doctors are demanding better working conditions, with
basic medicines and equipment.
They also want their salaries paid in United States dollars
and on call allowances reviewed to US$10.
In March this year, the doctors went on strike over similar
grievances. Newsday
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