By Daniel Itai, Harare, Zimbabwe.
(News of The South) – The strike by junior and middle-level doctors has paralysed state hospitals, used by Zimbabweans.
Many Zimbabweans are angry that top government officials continue to travel abroad for treatment while state hospitals are turning away patients because of the doctors’ strike.
At least 448 junior doctors have been fired and 101 are awaiting disciplinary hearings. The striking doctors have so far rejected offers from both the government and the private sector.
Last week telecommunications mogul Strive Masiyiwa, offered to give the striking doctors a monthly allowance of $5 000 (US$250), phones and transport to work.
He also offered $10 million (US$500 000) to fund for stethoscopes, patella hammers, uniforms and other diagnostic aids.
Aaron Musara, secretary general of the Senior Hospital Doctors Association said, “salaries have been eroded by 2 000 percent. We need more resources most of the machines in the hospitals are now outdated and some are not working properly.
There is no medication, we are not refusing to go back to work but we want those issues sorted out first. For now it’s better for people to stay at home than die at the hospitals.”
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