MDC urges Parirenyatwa to quit over doctors' strike

MDC urges Parirenyatwa to quit over doctors' strike

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called on Health Minister David Parirenyatwa to return from his holiday abroad and deal with a strike by doctors which has crippled the country's health service.

Parirenyatwa took his annual leave in the middle of the strike by doctors last week, and Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, a medical doctor by profession, has taken over negotiations with the doctors' union demanding higher pay for its members.

The strike by 145 junior doctors is in its sixth week. The doctors, who currently earn Z$56 000 (about US$224 on official market, and US$20 on parallel market) want their salaries raised to Z$5 million.

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, the deputy secretary general of a faction of the MDC on Thursday called on Parirenyatwa to call off his holiday, or resign.

She said: "Parirenyatwa has the temerity and arrogance to take leave and go abroad when the health system is on free fall. The minister could do well by negotiating with the doctors to urgently reach a compromise and find a solution to the crisis and save lives, yet he has the nerve to brazenly freeze the salaries of the striking doctors.

"This is shameless insensitivity and irresponsible behavior on the part of the minister and government. Such contemptuous bungling in decision making should not be tolerated."

Dr Lovemore Mberengwana, the chairman of the Health Services BoARD (HSB) this week blamed the government for the strike which he said could have been avoided with "a bit more foresight".

He said: "As a medical practitioner, I believe prevention is better than cure. These junior doctors started training six years ago and the government knew that one day they would be junior doctors needing transport and accommodation. Something should have been done earlier instead of waiting until a crisis developed."

Zimbabwe's health service was already buckling under the weight of heavy staff losses. Health professionals have been leaving for Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United States in search of better pay and working conditions.

As of August last year, Zimbabwe only had 641 government doctors instead of the required 1153. The country only has 29 radiographers instead of the required 170.

Mberengwana said: "We are losing health professionals who are leaving for greener pastures in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia -- countries we cannot compete with because of our poor economy. The only way to deal with this is for the government to fix the economy."

The MDC warned that "disease and death will be permanent guests in Zimbabwean households" if the government does not act.

Misihairabwi added: "The unfolding situation is calamitous and frightening to anyone with a conscience, our thoughts and sympathies as the MDC lie with the patients whose lives are exposed to real danger.

"This government is devoid of any constructive ideas and is totally insensitive to the general well being of its people. It is a shame that the minister responsible runs away to find solace by hiding in foreign lands instead of facing the crisis at home head-on.

"The MDC will continue to advocate the observance of the people's health rights and provision for a minimum platform of health rights in the
constitution and law. We firmly believe that there is need to fulfill the State's
obligation to providing sound health services, equitably distributed and with
adequate drugs and well resourced staff.

"It is clear that unless and until this government begins to respect the people's
health rights, disease and death will be permanent guests in Zimbabwean
households."

Zimbabwe is going through its worst economic crisis in history, with inflation of close to 1300%.
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