By Daniel Itai.
Zimbabwe (News of The South) – The Zimbabwean government has decided to sit down with government doctors tomorrow in a move that is meant to end the industrial action.
Since the start of the ongoing strike over two months ago, a total of 322 disciplinary cases have so far been conducted which has relatively seen the sacking of over 200 doctors.
The government has scheduled the meeting with doctors to deliberate on challenges affecting the health services sector.
Outgoing minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said, “government is still committed to dialogue with the striking doctors, and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.
The government is working flat out to ensure the availability of resources in the health institutions as well as improve the conditions of service for all health personnel.
In particular, the provision of institutional accommodation is being pursued in order to alleviate the challenges that affect service delivery in the short, medium to long term.
The strike by doctors over conditions of service has now gone beyond 70 days. The situation at the municipal clinics remains constrained as only 35 out of the expected 104 nurses are turning up for duty at the five polyclinics and one hospital.
The nurses had withdrawn their labour over delayed salary payments but are now refusing to resume duty even after receiving their salaries. The action by the nurses is illegal, and the employer has been advised to commence disciplinary process on the striking nurses, in line with the country’s laws.”
Some of the government doctors have vowed not to attend the government’s “scheduled meetings.” Most government doctors are earning below $US100.
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