Senior doctors have claimed that the government has warned them that it will not attend to their grievances until they return to work.
Following a meeting between members of the Zimbabwe Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) and Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo, the doctors released a memorandum which reads:
Following ordinary meetings of the SHDA members on 19 December 2019, it was reiterated to members that the Minister of Health and Child Care has insisted that the government is not going to attend to any of the three immediate issues that need attention for normal service to resume in hospitals until doctors return to work.
Doctors shall wait until the government decides to change its stance or be guided according to future collective resolutions.
Doctors at public health institutions have been on strike for several months demanding improved remuneration, availability of drugs, sundries and equipment, as well as a safe working environment.
Since the government is being its usual obstinate self, my advice is go backl to work. Tell the junior doctors to do the same. BUT negogiations are then full-time 8- 5 daily and limited to one week. If the government by the end of the week has nothing to offer return to current status quo. Call their bluff. Are they willing to negogiate in good faith or is their stance simply one to get doctors back at work while they will drag their heels are they have done ion the past.