The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare has released a statement in which it claims that the doctors’ strike which started today was limited to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
The Ministry urged doctors to return to work saying that there were now 250 posts which were available. They claim that all doctors who finished their internship will now be able to get a job. This was one of the reasons why, doctors had gone on strike, citing the government’s hiring freeze.
Here is the Press Statement:
Press Statement
Update on the Partial withdrawal of services by some public hospital doctorsHarare, 15 February 2017
We note that there has been partial withdrawal of services by some Junior Resident Medical Offices (JRMOs) and Senior Resident Medical Officers (SRMOs) only at Parirentatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital following indication by the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association that they would, among other things, withdrawal services (sic) until issues they had put on the table are resolved.
Treasury has granted concurrence to 250 posts for GMOs HMOs hence posts are available for all doctors who successfully complete their internship. The Ministry is urging all doctors to report for duty for the patients’ sake in these difficult times.
Ministry of Health and Child Care
Public Relations Department – 0712367337