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Paralysing doctors’ strike ends

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THE strike by public hospital doctors ended yesterday following “significant progress” in negotiations between the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association

THE strike by public hospital doctors ended yesterday following “significant progress” in negotiations between the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association (ZHDA), Health Services Board and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

STAFF REPORTER

Health and Child Care deputy minister Paul Chimedza confirmed the development, but could not give details of the figures agreed on.

“They have a genuine case and we will review not only the doctors’ working conditions, but the whole workforce,” Chimedza said.

In a statement, ZHDA said its members had agreed to call off the strike and resume normal duties starting today after their employer gave them assurances that their grievances would be addressed urgently.

“Members acknowledged the progress made in the negotiations and the rectifications made by the employer on some of their allowances,” ZHDA said after about 150 doctors from Chitungwiza Central, Harare Central and Parirenyatwa hospitals met in the capital and tasked the executive to set deadlines for the salary review.

“The benchmarks will review progress on matters that are still grossly outstanding.

“The striking members will resume their duties while they painfully compromise and await the implementation of the rectified package. The negotiations are still ongoing,” ZHDA said.

The strike, which started at four major referral hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo three weeks ago before it spread to provincial and district hospitals, had paralysed the health delivery system with only emergency cases being attended to, while others sought treatment at private surgeries and council clinics.

The doctors were demanding a review of their working conditions, among them a 400% increase in their monthly salaries to $1 200, upward review of their housing allowance from $250 to $350 per month and a duty-free car import facility.

They also wanted government to increase their on-call allowances and introduce a risk allowance against diseases such as Ebola, tuberculosis and HIV and Aids.