The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) yesterday 13 March released a Press Statement that they are continuing with the strike, which is now on day 14, until all their demands are met. While expressing concern over “the closure of almost all central hospitals, children’s units, provincial hospitals and cessation of emergency life-saving procedures”, the ZHDA maintains that they will only return to work after their demands are met. They therefore call upon Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa and the Health Services Board to urgently meet their demands, not to threaten the striking doctors.
The ZHDA holds that blanket pronouncements by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, such as the $10 million vehicle loan scheme for all health personnel and the opening of vacancies does not convince them because they want their own demands met and put in writing. We hope for urgent resolution of this impasse between the Health Ministry and doctors such that citizens’ right to life, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, Section 49, is not violated.
