Major Referral Hospitals No Longer Accepting New Patients As Doctor's Strike Enters Second Month (Update)

Two of Zimbabwe’s biggest hospitals, The Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Harare Central Hospital will no longer be accepting any new patients. This comes as a crippling strike by medical doctors enters its second month tomorrow. According to a letter written by two consultants to the clinical directors of the two medical institutions, this has been necessitated by the absence of junior and middle-level doctors.

The letter reads,

The consultants have met today March 29, 2018, and have noted that due the absence of junior and middle-level doctors we are unable to deliver safe and adequate service to our population. In this regard, we have resolved that we are unable to see and manage new patients coming into our tertiary institutions.

The letter was signed by one Dr Mbuvayesango and one Dr D Chimuka. The doctors have vowed to continue with their strike until they receive written agreements from the government. The doctors have repeatedly said that they do not trust Minister of Health and Child Care David Parirenyatwa.

Dr Mxolisi Ngwenya, the spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said,

The President through Treasury availed funds for the doctors’ allowances but the Health Services Board and the ministry have refused to put the offer in writing. They had promised to issue a circular today (Thursday) before we hold another meeting but nothing has come of it. We have lost confidence in the two and the Health Services Board has a history of abusing State funds. We have been waiting for something on paper because we know the monster we are dealing with.

Update:  Doctors Finally Call Off Strike, Sign Agreement With Govt

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