The Herald (Harare)
Harare, November 12, 2003
Parliament yesterday said it would facilitate dialogue between the Government
and striking health personnel.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health Mr Blessing Chebundo said
this when the committee met nurses, striking junior, middle level and casualty
doctors at Parliament yesterday.
"The Parliamentary Committee on Health will facilitate
dialogue between striking, non-striking health personnel and the Public Service
Commission to avoid further loss of lives at hospitals.
"We are also meeting the Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David
Parirenyatwa here at Parliament tomorrow (today) so that the committee gets the
ministry's view on the grievances of health personnel," he said.
Mr Chebundo assured doctors and nurses that they would get feedback from the
committee after making necessary consultations with relevant stakeholders.
At yesterday's meeting, doctors were represented by the Hospital Doctors
Association while the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) represented nurses.
Zina vice provincial chairperson for Harare Mrs Loice Mukudu said the PSC was
still to respond to their proposals for a salary review.
Nurses earn between $138 446 and $222 967 per month and briefly went on strike
last month but returned to work after three days following assurance from
Government that their grievances were being looked into.
"When we met the minister, we agreed that the entry point for a junior nurse
would be $1,6 million and he assured us that a response would be available on
November 7 so we saw no reason to continue with the strike.
"So far we have not received a response from PSC on the decision it has made on
our salaries, which has become a cause for worry," said Mrs Mukudu.
She said nurses also wanted their transport, uniform and
standby allowances reviewed.
"Considering the country's hyperinflation, we urgently require a review of our
allowances including the revival of the night duty and risk allowance as we
sometimes operate without protective clothing," said Mrs Mukudu.
Zina said it was ready to negotiate with Government on improving salaries to
retain nurses in the country.
HDA president Dr Phibion Manyanga also complained of delays by the PSC in
addressing their grievances.
"Doctors are concerned by the lack of feedback from PSC as this will not only
prolong the time that we are away from work but would also result in more losses
of lives," said Dr Manyanga.
Junior and middle level doctors who earn between $4 545 564 and $5 740 884 per
year went on strike last month pressing for a monthly salary of $30 million.
Casualty doctors who earn between $263 305 and $807 735 per month also went on
strike demanding a review of their salaries.
The doctors said they also wanted risk and retention allowances as they face the
danger of contracting diseases while on duty.
The PSC has said it is reviewing the salaries and allowances of the entire civil
service.