Govt must address striking doctors’ concerns

Obituaries
The strike by both junior doctors and their seniors is a major cause for concern.

The strike by both junior doctors and their seniors is a major cause for concern.

Peacemaker Zano

Every individual has a right to access health services. It’s now the third week since junior doctors decided to put down their tools to demand a pay rise from government.

It has been reported that the junior doctors are earning US$282 as their monthly salary and they are demanding US$1 200 excluding allowances.

Strikes are a strategy used by employees in an attempt to force an employer to meet their demands, whether economic or otherwise.

The on-going strike by junior doctors has a negative impact on the quality of healthcare services.

Such strikes also affect the relationship that exists between doctors and patients. It is well-known that strikes are lawful, but patients suffer a great deal.

The doctors’ absence from work threatens the well-being of the general public.

It also destabilises the operations of the health sector and disaster preparedness in case of a disease outbreak.

Before joining in the strike senior doctors who were on duty at public hospitals like Harare Hospital were only attending to patients who were deemed to be critically ill, while those who were not considered seriously ill were sent back home.

Currently, the country is facing financial constraints. These junior doctors should be aware of the liquidity crisis that the country is experiencing at the moment. What is of paramount importance presently is the interest of patients.

The decision that was made by junior doctors to compromise the health care of patients is not only disappointing, but profoundly disturbing mainly because people’s lives are in their hands. The Ministry of Health and Child Care should initiate dialogue with the junior doctors, which should lead to a consensus between government and doctors.

Doctors’ strikes may increase the mortality rate in public hospitals.

Imagine if Ebola was to be detected in Zimbabwe today with this obtaining situation, how many will survive? I understand that junior doctors have an obligation to first serve the people and their interests later.

In fact, they publicly commit themselves at the beginning of their careers as life is sacred.

In addition, junior doctors should fully appreciate the dedication and hard work which is required to provide medical care in the public sector in view of the terrible health crises and challenges that patients experience in the entire nation. Some of the challenges include cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, high or low blood pressure problems as well as maternal and child health problems.

It is of paramount importance to note that the loss of lives of bread-winners due to doctors’ strike causes poverty and puts pressure on families, society and the economy. To add on to that, most specialist doctors are hiking their consultation fees well above the stipulated charges which most patients cannot afford to pay.

However, if such issues persist, those patients with resources will opt to go to foreign countries to seek medical attention. But how about the common man?

There are a number of free services that these junior doctors receive other than their salaries. Most junior doctors stay in government flats where they do not pay any rentals and bills.

Free accommodation is a privilege that these junior doctors enjoy which is not enjoyed by most civil servants. On top of that, they get accommodation allowances like other civil servants.

Considering these and other favourable factors, junior doctors should bear in mind that their strike does not hold much water but it actually paints a bad picture of our beloved country. The Health Services Board was quoted in some sections of the media saying that all salaries for the health sector will only be reviewed next year.

In line with that, the Minister of Finance Patrick Chinamasa is expected to present the national budget on November 27. Therefore, these junior doctors should go back to work as the government will look into their grievances.

In addition, medical aid societies are fast-losing their relevance because most doctors have lost confidence in them.

The responsible authorities should closely look at this issue as it is affecting clients of medical aid societies who pay their subscriptions monthly, but turn out to be the biggest losers when they are asked to pay up front or fees known as a shortfall by specialist doctors. In such cases, medical aid societies therefore cease to serve their purpose.

We applaud the assistance that army doctors and other health personnel are giving to patients. It goes a long way to ease the burden of patients and their relatives.

If this strike by junior doctors continues like that, our economy will continue to suffer because a sick society cannot be a productive one. This will affect the performance of our economy and investor confidence, especially in this era of Ebola.

That having been said, the government should move to address the issues in the health sector so that we do not lose the gains made so far. Our medical practitioners are actually in demand in the region, which is testimony to the quality of training they get from our medical schools.

Finally, our medical practitioners should also reconsider. Life is precious.

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