Health professionals in Zimbabwe, represented by the Health Apex Council, are threatening a four-day strike due to a combination of economic hardships and the government’s alleged failure to address their concerns.
In a letter to the Health Services Commission, Dr. James Sibanda, leader of the Health Apex Council, outlined the dire situation faced by health workers, attributing it to the “volatile economic environment” in Zimbabwe.
He specifically highlighted several economic challenges, including loss of value of the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) and price disparities and distortions.
“The health workers as an essential service are incapacitated by the volatile economic environment which is characterized by the loss of value of the ZWL, price disparities and distortions, hyperinflation.
“The health apex panel has on numerous occasions wrote to the employer highlighting the plight of health workers. Sadly, to this day nothing has materialized.
“Health workers are severely affected by the following reasons as already raised in the position paper: Non engagement of health workers on remuneration and conditions of service, exclusion of health workers on the April 2023 cost of living adjustment, non review of health sector specific allowances, very low basic salary, housing and transport allowances which are now less than USD 10 combined at the prevailing interbank market and poor grading among health workers.
“Non benefiting from non-monetary incentives, no vehicle loan, review downwards of the vehicle rebate amounts, non-benefiting from PSMAS as a medical aid, non-availability of tools of trade i.e. equipment, medicines, and surgical supplies and exclusion of other health workers (non-medical) from health sector specific allowances,” wrote Sibanda.
Sibanda’s letter emphasizes that these economic factors, coupled with low wages and a lack of essential resources like equipment and medicine, have left health workers feeling “incapacitated.”
They are demanding better working conditions, including improved salaries, benefits, and access to necessary supplies.
If their grievances are not addressed, the health workers plan to strike from Thursday, February 29th, to Saturday, March 2nd, 2024.
The potential job action underscores the significant impact of Zimbabwe’s economic problems on the country’s healthcare system and its workforce.
Nothing to do if we talk about Zimbabwe,country without money, very hard to restore Zimbabwe back were It was