By Kudakwashe Pembere
The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora says chances are slim that a strike within the public health service may go on tomorrow as announced by the Health Apex Council (HAC) stating it is, unpatriotic and ‘unZimbabwean’.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines a first annual progress report meeting on the project for quality assurance and patient safety, Dr Mombeshora said they had learned the strike was on today (Wednesday) after discussions with the HAC where there were reassurances that Government was committed to resolving the health workers’ poor working conditions.
About the intended strike, we understand they wanted to start today but I don’t think any well-meaning Zimbabwean would do that.
“Those who want to engage in industrial action have other motives other than not serving their country’s health service. We called them discussing what they want Government to do for them and if not, may they tell us who is capable,” the Health Minister said.
The Health Minister also said Government cannot perform instant miracles where working conditions related grievances can be solved in a flash.
“We are on record as the Ministry of Health stating that we are looking into their concerns of bettering their conditions of service. As I said, Government does not operate in a manner where if a grievance is raised, by the click of a finger they are addressed. It weighs all its workers’ issues and find means to ensure that their working conditions are improved,” he said. “So those who want their working conditions improved, I hope they come to us for a dialogue and we take their matters to the Health Service Commission.”
He added, “The HSC just started work this month and I don’t find it feasible they would have addressed all these grievances within a short space of time because there are channels to be followed. First thing to do is to take note of these concerns, then they are categorized. The matters can be taken up to the Ministry of Finance (Treasury) which then considers how it can tackle them according to their available funds. Bare in mind, these issues cannot be solved in a day.”
He noted the HSC had a strategy planning meeting last week where issues the aggrieved health workers are clamouring for were being discussed.
“Brain drain is not a new thing as we have seen workers leaving for greener pastures. As the Ministry of Health and Child Care, we have the Health Service Commission which commenced its operations this month and its mandate as the Employer in the Government Health sector, is among other things guaranteeing staff retention as well as good remuneration alongside the non-monetary benefits.
“The non-monetary benefits include making sure they have the medicines and equipment to use, ensuring they have proper accommodation and transport ferrying them to work. In fact, HSC last week had a strategy planning meeting,” Dr Mombeshora said.
The Health workers under the HAC banner in a notice of intent to strike to the HSC argued some of the promises particularly the non-monetary rewards have not yet materialized.
“Health workers are severely affected by the following reasons as already raised in the position paper:1. Non engagement of health workers on remuneration and conditions of service. 2. exclusion of health workers on the April 2023 cost of living adjustment. 3. non review of health sector specific allowances.
4. very low basic salary, housing and transport allowances which are now less than USD 10 combined at the prevailing interbank market, 5. poor grading among health workers. 5. non benefiting from non-monetary incentives, no vehicle loan, review downwards of the vehicle rebate amounts. 6. non benefiting from PSMAS as a medical aid. 7. non availability of tools of trade i.e. equipment, medicines, and surgical supplies. 8. Exclusion of other health workers(non-medical) from health sector specific allowances,” said HAC
