Army doctors deployed in hospitals as strike continues

Army doctors have been deployed to various public hospitals countrywide to offer medical care as doctors strike continues.

Doctors have been on strike for past six days protesting over working conditions.

The strike has reportedly spilled over to United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH).

According to state media reports this evenin g professionals from the uniformed forces  have been dispatched to minimise impact of the strike.

"We will continue engaging with them through various levels so that we get a clear understanding of the impasse," Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Gerald Gwinji is quoted saying.

"When some people are not coming to work there is bound to be an impact on service delivery and because these cadres on strike are at the first level of care, the impact is greater.

"Clinical directors are however trying to re-arrange their departments to see how they can continue providing a service although it's a bit more work on those available" he added.

Doctors, who are affiliated to the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors' Association, downed tools last week to press the government to, among other issues, retain their contracts upon completion of their internship, review their on-call allowances and allow them duty-free car imports.

The situation at most of the affected hospitals remained dire yesterday with nurses and a few senior doctors only attending to emergencies.

In a letter addressed to health directors at UBH, the striking doctors said: "Due to the ongoing strike by junior doctors, we are finding it difficult to cope with the workload, therefore, we have resolved to attend to 'dire' cases and emergencies only.

"We will only resume duties once the outstanding issues have been resolved. We hope the impasse is resolved immediately for the benefit of our patients".