How much do Zimbabwean doctors really earn?

Zimbabwe’s junior doctors may be among the lowest paid in the region but they definitely do not earn $329 a month as widely reported on twitter and in the media.

Junior doctors have been in strike since the beginning of this month calling for better working conditions and have refused to go back to work despite ultimatums from the government which has said that those who have not been at work for more than 14 days will not get their salaries and allowances.

Mxolisi Ngwenya, spokesman for the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association said doctors would not end their strike until the government agreed to their demands.

“Members have stated that they are not going back to work. Instead of threatening our members, we urge the ministry to go on to resolve the root issues as they are aware that we have genuine grievances,” Ngwenya said.

While doctors have a basic salary of $329 they earn more than this when their allowances are added.

According to a new fact checking organisation in Zimbabwe, Zimfact, doctors are paid a basic salary of $329 plus a housing allowance of $250 and a transport allowance of $100 a month.

The Medical Doctors Association says the housing allowance is only paid to those who do not have accommodation within the institutions where they work.

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