Doctors, government set for showdown over allowances

Government has been urged to improve the salaries and working conditions of doctors in 2015 to stem the continuing flight of specialists.

President of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors' Association (ZHDA) Dr Fortune Nyasha Nyamande said the government, through the Health Services Board (HSB), should immediately come up with a reasonable remuneration package for health workers or risk further losing experienced doctors and other health personnel such as nurses.

He also said doctors were ready to confront the HSB and the parent ministry over their allowances.

Nyamande reiterated the need for an immediate revised policy framework for the health sector, overhaul of the composition and mandate of the HSB to complement the already existing solid primary health care system and competent health personnel.

Meanhwile, teachers started receiving their 13th cheque as promised amidst threats by  nurses to embark on industrial action next week if government does not pay their bonuses by this Friday.

Zimbabwe Nurses' Association (ZINA) Harare provincial chairman Enock Dongo said government had no respect for nurses.

Dongo said their employer had sent a circular saying their bonus would be paid on January 2, but they had not received anything yet.

But, while nurses were up in arms with the government, a snap survey showed teachers in high spirits after receiving their bonuses.