Doctors reject govt excuse – as Govt remains mute over 10.5 percent increment

By NATION REPORTER 

DOCTORS countrywide are in limbo over Government’s position regarding their demand for a 10.5 percent salary increment despite issuing an ultimatum.

The Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) has said that they were still in a state of uncertainty despite several meetings with the government.

And Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) General-Secretary Kaumba Tolopu said the doctors did not agree with the government’s explanation that they did not qualify for a salary increase since they are considered to be in managerial positions. 

Dr Tolopu said it was unfair because other civil servants who were in managerial positions were beneficiaries of the 10.5 percent salary increment.

He said they had a meeting with the Permanent Secretary at the Public Service Management Division who relayed the information to Secretary to Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa.

Dr Tolopu said the reason advanced by the government indicated that they were left out because they were considered to be in managerial positions did not hold water.

“We have individuals that are in managerial positions that received the 10.5 percent salary increment so the excuse they are giving does not make sense,” he said.

Dr Tolopu said they were waiting for a written correspondence from Mr Kangwa to guide them on the way forward.

He said it was shocking that government was silent over the matter and that doctors would go ahead with the sit-in planned for March 1, 2023.

By press time, efforts to get a comment from Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Lackson Kasonka proved futile as his phone went unanswered.