By NATION REPORTER
LEADER of the Opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile has called on Government to move swiftly to prevent a strike by resolving the standoff between doctors and Government.
Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) general secretary Roy Tolopu warned that medical doctors would go on a nationwide strike by March 1, 2023 following their omission by government from the 10.5 percent salary increment for civil servants.
Civil Servants Allied Workers Union of Zambia Union President Davy Chiyobe was quoted in the media stating that the 10.5 percent increment did not carter for Doctors because they were at management level.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Mundubile who is also PF Presidential Candidate said Government should not neglect existing staff by improving their conditions of service even after employing 11 000 health workers.
He said it would be meaningless to employ 11 000 workers but senior doctors that supervise them go on strike because of poor conditions of service.
Mr. Mundubile said the fact that the conditions of service were negotiated, it was time that they were implemented.
“We also need to add that after employing 11 000 health workers, it was hoped that the decision would see improved service delivery in public health care facilities,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said he had received reports from some parts of the country that there was still a shortage of staff in health care facilities.
“We begin to wonder what exactly is going on. Not long ago, we were grappling with the shortage of drugs and there is now an improvement in the supply of drugs but what we are getting now is shortage of personnel. It is a source of concern and we hope that Government will quickly look into it,” he said.
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