Victory For Doctors As Govt Lifts Recruitment Freeze Following 21 Day Ultimatum

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) president Dr Edgar Munatsi told The Chronicle yesterday that Government has agreed to lift the freeze on the recruitment of doctors and availed $10 million to buy vehicles after they gave Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa 21 days to address a number of grievances.

The Chronicle could not reach Dr Parirenyatwa for comment yesterday while permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Gerald Gwinji was said to be out of the country. However, ZHDA president Dr Edgar Munatsi said since they issued the ultimatum, Government had addressed three of their concerns. Said Dr Munatsi:

We have had discussions with them and they addressed some of our concerns. They have availed $10 million towards procurement of vehicles and have agreed to ensure that there is proper grading of salaries for our doctors effective month end which will be back dated to January. They have also agreed to lift the ban on the recruitment of doctors and promised that the system will absorb all doctors once they complete their studies.

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