Doctors' strike disaster: Hospital operations crippled

THE strike by junior doctors who are demanding a salary increment from $282 to $1 200 might have ripple effects on the operations of some of the country's major hospitals as senior doctors struggle to attend to withstand pressure on patients.

Yesterday major hospitals in Harare recorded a low patient turnout as only emergency cases were being attended to by senior doctors following a strike by junior doctors.

According to a daily Parirenyatwa Hospital had a low patient turnout at the hospital's casualty department due to the strike.

It was the same situation at Harare Hospital as its Outpatient Department was empty and there was a notice at the door informing patients that doctors were on strike that started this Monday.

Patients could be seen returning home after reading the notice of the doctors' strike.

In Bulawayo, at Mpilo Central Hospital, clinical director, Dr Wedu Ndebele, said the military and police were mobilising doctors to help them following a request by the hospital.

He said only one military doctor and a junior doctor had so far reported for duty.

But doctors at Chitungwiza Central Hospital defied calls by members of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors' Association to down tools.

Chief executive officer of Chitungwiza Central Hospital Dr Obadiah Moyo said in an interview that doctors at the hospital were reporting for duty as normal.