Zimbabwe doctors have withdrawn their services with immediate effect according to a letter posted by Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono. The junior doctors who are under Zimbabwe Hospitals Doctors Association (ZHDA) have decided to withdraw their services over the lack of concern and action on the grievances they had aired to their employer.
The doctors point out to risky working environment they are forced to work in. They are fearing for their health as they are being exposed to potential coronavirus infected patients without protective wear. The hospitals also lack consumables like sanitizers which are used in the managing of coronavirus patients.
ZHDA President Dr Tawanda Zvakada did not hand the hard copyy of the letter to the CEO and Clinical directors citing the need for social distancing.
The letter is published below:
The :Clinical Director
: Chief Executive Officers
Harare Central Hospital Southerton 24/03/2020
Dear Sir Re: Corona Virus (Covid-19) Pandemic
Persuant to the meeting we had on Monday 23 March 2020. In which we communicated to you our genuine grievances and expressed our fears concerning this deadly pandemic which has not spared healthcare workers as well.We expected an urgent response in writing from your office which has not come up until now. We have expressed to you the issue of PPE which is still not yet available. The way in which the Hospital is to be functioning still remains vague. Whilst you continue to run around putting things in place we would like to make it clear in no uncertain terms that our members will not be able to continue carrying out their duties with immediate effect.An inconveniences caused regarding this position we have taken is sincerely regrettable but it was necessitated by a communication breakdown between the top management and frontline doctors.
Given the urgency of the matter and the need for social distancing a hardcopy version of the same letter will be hand delivered when the conditions are permissive.
Dr Tawanda Zvakada ZHDA President Cc: minister of health and child care :Perm Sec :Hsb : Higher life Foundation All Clinical Directors All Chief Executive Officers :Head of divisions : Consultants
Zimbabwe doctors have resorted to industrial action many times. The most recent is when they spent around 3 months away from work in 2019. The impasse was broken when Higher Life Foundation chipped in to pay them ZWL 5000 per month in addition to their government salary.