Staff Reporter

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has vehemently opposed the looming plans of a strike by public hospital doctors and nurses and emphasised the need for dialogue, urging organisers of the planned strike to hold off until discussions between the government and the workforce resume.

Addressing journalists yesterday during an annual progress report meeting on patient safety in Harare, Minister Mombeshora  said that those who want to engage in strike might have other motives of not serving their country’s health service.

“About the intended strike, we understand they wanted to start today (yesterday), 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,” said the Minister.

Minister Mombeshora emphasised that any concerns regarding working conditions should be brought to the Government's attention through constructive dialogue rather than disruptive actions.

While acknowledging the grievances of health workers, Minister Mombeshora assured that the Government was committed to addressing their concerns but emphasised that solutions cannot be instantaneous.

"Government does not operate by addressing grievances at the snap of a finger. It weighs all its workers’ issues and find means to ensure that their working conditions are improved. 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 remarked.

The Minister urged health workers to engage in dialogue with the Government and utilise the channels provided by the Health Service Commission to effectively address their concerns.

Meanwhile, Health Apex Council leader James Sibanda announced yesterday that they had decided to temporarily suspend the planned strike, while awaiting further discussions with associations representing health workers.

He said that the move reflected a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the Government to find a resolution to the pressing issues affecting healthcare workers.