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Doctors down tools over lack of medicines
ZimOnline
November 08, 2006

http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=427

BULAWAYO – Intern doctors at state-run Mpilo Central hospital in Zimbabwe’s second largest city of Bulawayo are on strike over lack of medicines and other basic equipment they need to treat patients.

The interns, more known as junior doctors in Zimbabwe, downed tools last Wednesday and had not returned to work by late yesterday.

A series of talks between the striking doctors and hospital authorities have failed to break the deadlock, according to doctors’ representative Irvin Zimudzi.

Zimudzi told ZimOnline: "Just this morning we had a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and they indicated that funds have been released for the purchase of medicines and other resources.

"However, we will not resume our duties as we first want to assess the situation and prove that really the resources have been made available."

No comment was immediately available from both the hospital authorities and from Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.

Strikes by doctors and nurses have become routine in Zimbabwe as the public health sector – once the envy of many developing nations – steadily crumbles after years of under-funding and mismanagement. - ZimOnline

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