Are Zimbabwe doctors demanding an increment of 700 %?

HON. TSUNGA:  My supplementary question, Hon. Speaker, is that the problem in the health delivery system is money fold.  While the dimension of conditions of service and rates of pay for health personnel is critical, there is also the aspect of medication.

You may address the issue of salaries but the galloping prices of medication because once you get a prescription you still need to go to a pharmacy.  How then do you address that other angle because I think the prices of medication is beyond the reach of many.  Let us look at it in that perspective that it has to be a multi-pronged approach to solving the problem because it is really a crisis.  Thank you Mr. Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, I indicated earlier on that the question asked by Hon. Mamombe was contextualised to the doctors plight.  The question of medication is another issue.

HON. MAMOMBE:  Just a point of clarification

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Clarification on what?

HON. MAMOMBE:  A clarification on the 76% increment.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Ask a supplementary question.

HON. MAMOMBE:  Hon. Speaker, my supplementary question is directed to the – [AN HON. MEMBER:  Bvisa heti.] –

HON. T. MLISWA:  Hon. Speaker ,on a point of order.  Whoever said bvisa heti is very sexist, feminist and they must withdraw.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Who is saying that? – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – Can I listen to one person please?

HON. MAMOMBE:  It is Hon. Nyabani.

HON. SIKHALA:  You always allow them to get away with it.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  Order Hon. Member there.  Can I get the name properly?

HON. T. MLISWA:  Hon. Speaker, I never lie; it was Hon. Nyabani.  If you refuse, the Hansard will pick you.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order.  The Hon. Member, can you withdraw your statement? – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. NYABANI:  Hon. Speaker, for the sake of progress I withdraw – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

HON. MAMOMBE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker for that protection – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order!

HON. D. SIBANDA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker.  The Honourable here is not withdrawing.  He is saying for progress sake.  Can he just withdraw because he has always been heckling – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order.

HON. MAMOMBE:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is that the strikes that were announced by the doctors and nurses, it was after the announcement that there is going to be an increment of 76%.  Yes, the Government has tried its best.  The Government is going to make an increment of 76% but on their petition, on their demands they are stating that they are not recognising that 76% of increment.  What they want is that their money be paid in United States dollars on an increment which is in line with the inflation that is 500% or 700%.  This is what the doctors want.

So the 76% increment that the Hon. Minister is talking about is not going to work.  It is not going to stop the strikes that are ongoing and we are going to lose lives, Hon. Speaker, because already there are no drugs and no equipment and doctors have been making an effort.  What is the Government going to do about the current crisis?  They want United States dollars and they want an increment of 700%.  Thank you Mr. Speaker.

HON. ZIYAMBI:  Mr. Speaker, I alluded to the fact that negotiations are ongoing – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Honourable Members at the back there, can the Hon. Minister be heard in silence?  Please carry on Hon. Minister.

HON. ZIYAMBI:  Mr. Speaker, I alluded to the fact that negotiations are ongoing.  The rest of the civil service said okay, we agree to what Government has offered us but we will continue negotiating and we accepted that.  It is the same with doctors, so I am surprised that she has already concluded that is the finality of the case when we are still negotiating with the representatives.  I thank you.

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