Tanzanian doctors threaten another strike

Medical doctors in Tanzania have given the government up to tomorrow to sack the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Haji Mponda and his deputy Dr Lucy Nkya. The doctors argued that they were only to hold talks with the government after the two have been shown the way.



The Minister for Health, Dr Haji Mponda

They also threatened that failure by the government to remove the two, they would resume their strike. The doctors suspended their three-week strike last month on the 9^th of February giving the government one month to look into their grievances.

The strike had caused untold suffering to many ordinary Tanzanians who could not afford the services of private doctors.

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Lucy Nkya.

The latest threat is a test for President Jakaya Kikwete as he is under pressure to act before the deadline.

Doctors’ demands in summary are as follows:

• Sacking of Heath Minister and his deputy, Dr Lucy Nkya.
• Improvement of working conditions
• Salary increment from the current level of 957,700/- to between 3.5 million/- and 7million/-.
• Signing of negotiation agreement and immediate implementation of what has been agreed.
• Their negotiations should not involve other health workers such as nurses and pharmacists.