Health sector crippled by strike

Hundreds of patients this weekend endured long hours waiting in casualty units at Zimbabwe's state hospitals due to a crippling strike by doctors seeking higher allowances and better work conditions. eNCA reports that they are protesting against what they call government’s unwillingness to implement ‘logical decisions’. ‘We've got very simple demands. What we are asking for is for an open practice licence upon completion of an internship. The second thing we are asking for is on-call allowances,’ said Bulawayo doctor Obert Sibanda. Health Minister David Parirenyatwa has pleaded with doctors to return to work while negotiations continue. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change deplored the government's failure to address the doctors' grievances. ‘At a time President Robert Mugabe and members of his inner circle travel to Singapore, India and other such faraway places seeking their personal medical treatment, Zanu-PF regime shows complete disregard for the plight of our striking doctors,’ the party said in a statement.