In particular, government is disturbed by the fact that in spite of many concessions it made to the striking doctors, and the broad agreement reached on all but two issues, the striking health personnel continue to withhold their labour and negotiate in bad faith even though they are designated as an essential service under the Labour Act, and even though government has bent over backwards to accommodate them.
Equally, government notes with concern the political overtones which the labour issue has now assumed, including attempts by striking doctors to appeal to constituencies which have nothing to do with health delivery or their employment contracts.
Mindful of the recent Labour Court judgment which ruled the industrial action unlawful, and in the interest of the patients who stand affected by this unlawful action by striking doctors, government has now decided on the following steps:
International best practices which govern doctors and interns, provide that doctors should not abandon patients and posts; and that instead they should bring forward their grievances while making sure loss of life or unnecessary pain and suffering is avoided.
By going against the Hippocratic Oath, the striking doctors have shown their callous insensitivity to human life, pain and suffering.
In the meantime, government will not allow any demonstrations at medical facilities whose purpose is to treat patients and ensure their full recovery.
For the avoidance of doubt, government will not remunerate any of its work-force in United States dollars.
The hard-earned foreign currency will be committed to, among other area, importing essential medicines for hospitals and clinics, as well as to facilitate the recovery of the economy, in line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.
Government wishes to acknowledge and thank senior doctors who have kept their services going, doctors in private practice, in private health institutions, retirees, expatriates, foreign based and trained Zimbabwean nationals for offering their services in the interest of patients.
General (Rtd) Dr C.G.D.N Chiwenga
Acting President
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