HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has frozen salaries of 50 striking doctors at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare in what the doctors say was a clear case of victimization against the doctors. 

Hospital Doctors’ Association President Kuda Nyamutukwa said although most of the 350 doctors had received their new salaries for January, the 50 had not received their pay after the government accused them of spearheading the strike. 

“I can confirm that at least 50 doctors from Parirenyatwa Hospital have failed to access their money. We know it’s a way of trying to kill off the strike. 

“The government is trying to fight fire with fire. But it is not going to work,” said Nyamutukwa. 

Zimbabwean doctors downed their tools last December demanding that the government increase their salaries from Z$56 000 to Z$5 million a month. 

Although Health Minister David Parirenyatwa had earlier this month promised to significantly hike their salaries, the doctors say they were not happy when the government only increased the salaries by 320 percent. 

The lowest paid medical doctor now earns Z$239 000, an amount the doctors say is still way below their minimum salary demands. 

Nyamutukwa yesterday said the doctors would press on with the strike until their demands for more pay and better working conditions were met. 

The strike has had a heavy toll on long-suffering Zimbabweans with reports that many were dying of diseases that could otherwise be treated if doctors were at work. 

Zimbabwe’s health delivery system, once lauded as one of the best in Africa, has virtually collapsed after years of under-funding and mismanagement. 

An acute economic crisis now in its eighth year running has only helped worsen the situation with the government short of cash to import essential medicines and equipment, while the country has suffered the worst brain drain of doctors, nurses and other professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. - ZimOnline