Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has pleaded with striking doctors t return to work to save lives. His remarks come at a time when health caregivers in public health institutions have been on industrial action since the 3rd of September this year citing unsustainability of salaries and poor working conditions.
Speaking at his Welcome party held this Saturday in his rural home, Wedza, Chiwenga assured those gathered that the government will do everything within its powers to improve the welfare of the general populace. He added:
I want to thank the President for being there for me. I also urge striking doctors to go back to work and save lives.
The situation in the health delivery system is deplorable and there seems to be no end to the impasse between striking workers and the employer with doctors turning down a number of “insignificant” offers which the government had offered them.
Analysts have often argued that the government is not motivated to improve the local health system since they can afford treatment beyond the country’s borders and the 2020 Budget and Chiwenga’s health case have been used as evidence to support the claim.
Chiwenga returned last week from China where he spent about four months receiving medical attention.
More: ZBC News