Senior doctors to return to work in Zimbabwe

Senior doctors in Zimbabwe have returned to work this week, following large-scale industrial action which saw only emergency cases attended to since December. 

The decision follows meetings last Wednesday between leaders from the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SDHA) and acting-President Constantino Chiwenga. 

The association has agreed to extend its treatment for emergencies to include urgent cases as well, which it says was done in the interest of its patients.

However, the SHDA continued to express concerns over matters such as flexible working hours for nurses, which it believes is compromising patient care. 

There also remains uncertainty regarding medical supplies, with many patients being required to buy their own drugs from private pharmacies. More complicated surgical procedures are also on hold until specialist equipment can be purchased.

Junior doctors in Zimbabwe returned to work in December, but senior physicians continued their industrial action in aid of better salaries and more formal hours for nursing staff. 

Further relief is in sight however, with philanthropic organisation the Higherlife Foundation re-upping its commitment to providing fellowships to Zimbabwe’s doctors. The latest development, which will run for the next six months, will see consultants paid a subsistence allowance of US$10,000 and other senior doctors receive US$7,500. 

The foundation was started by Strive Masiyira, founder of telecoms giant Econet Wireless and one of Zimbabwe’s richest men.  Mr Masiyira, who lives in the UK, is thought to be worth around US$1.1 billion, according to Forbes.

Photo credit: Getty Images