ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT FIRES 77 STRIKING DOCTORS

Doctors on strike: Zimbabwe is in the midst of an economic crisis and high inflation has severely eroded people's earnings.

Paidamoyo Chipunza

The Zimbabwe government is working to normalise the situation at public hospitals following the dismissal of 77 doctors who went on an illegal strike recently. This was disclosed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa while addressing the media after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

“Cabinet was informed by the Minister of Health and Child Care (Dr Obadiah Moyo) that the public hospitals medical doctors’ strike has now gone beyond 63 days. Medical services at most central hospitals therefore remain constrained.

The Health Services Board said the doctors have since been discharged from public service following disciplinary hearings which the doctors absconded from.

In a statement yesterday, HSB chairman Dr Paulinus Sikosana said the doctors were being charged in terms of section 4 of the Labour (National Employment Code of Conduct), Regulations, Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 (the Code).

“77 of the 80 doctors were found guilty of absenting themselves from duty without leave or reasonable cause for days ranging from five or more and discharged from the health service,” said Dr Sikosana.

Last month a court ruled that the strike was illegal and ordered them back to work but they defied the ruling.

Hundreds of doctors, who are also on strike, are waiting to know their fate as the government looks determined to keep playing hardball.

It seems unthinkable that they can all be fired because the impact on the already struggling health service would be disastrous, our correspondent says.

Zimbabwe is in the midst of an economic crisis and high inflation has severely eroded people's earnings.

The real value of a doctor's salary has therefore plummeted to the equivalent of less than $100 (£80) a month.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa (second from right) flanked by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza (left), Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza (second from left) and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda fields questions from journalists at a post-Cabinet briefing at Munhumutapa Building in Harare yesterday.

With members of the civil service due to take to the streets on Wednesday, pressure is building on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to find a way out of the economic crisis which continues to make life harder for Zimbabweans.

Family, satellite and some polyclinics remained closed yesterday, with a few selected polyclinics assisting pregnant women.

The few maternity facilities open were overwhelmed with some expecting mothers resorting to sleeping on the floor as all beds were occupied.

In separate interviews with our reporter yesterday, some pregnant women urged nurses and city fathers to amicably resolve their differences.

Mrs Renia Chiutsi of Kuwadzana 5 said the situation was unbearable for financially disadvantaged mothers who rely on public health facilities.

“I was supposed to go to Harare Central Hospital for an operation because my pregnancy was overdue, but I could not go there because of the current doctors’ strike.

“I could not afford private maternity services either, where the doctors are charging at least US$250 or equivalent to induce delivery. So my last hope was the council facilities,” said Mrs Chiutsi, who gave birth to a baby girl on Monday evening. - Africa