GelfandRitchen House

172 Baines Avenue Tel: (04) 791561

Harare Email: zhdaoff2014@gmail.com

URGENT NOTICE

TO: ZIMBABWE HOSPITAL DOCTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

10 FEBRUARY 2017

The ZHDA was today engaged in nationwide consultations with its members across
the country. As you may be aware the health sector is pregnant with a multitude of
problems emanating from gross negligence and lack of will to implement logical
decisions. To buttress this argument where in the world can a country declare that
it can no longer employ well trained post internship doctors despite the huge
investment in educating these cadres for twenty years!

The association remains puzzled with the lipstick approach by the Ministry of health
to honour the agreed on call allowances with our previous leadership. It is on record
that the on call allowance must have progressively been raised to $720.

Our doctors including well trained consultants still travel to work on public transport
despite the earlier promise to unveil a motor vehicle duty free facility to the sector.

Our doctors who are furthering their studies have been left to the gallows of the
capital hungry University and are basically donating their tiny salaries to fees.
These are only but a few of the frustrating examples of how health workers have
been neglected whilst on the other hand the responsible authorities swim in bread
and butter as their kids are flying to school.

The late President Mandela once highlighted that freedom can never be granted by
the oppressor but have to be fought for by the oppressed. In light of the
recommendations gathered from the nationwide consultations and guided by the
notice and petition served to the Minister of health and the Health Services Board
more than two weeks ago the association wishes to announce that with effect from
Wednesday 15 February,there shall be a fully fletched, nationwide industrial action.
All doctors from the consultant level to our new JRMOs are advised to take heed of
this call.
The three specific demands are

1. All doctors who have completed internship must never have their contracts of
employment terminated or else be given their open practicing certificates upon
completion of internship.

2. The current on call allowance be revised upwards to a minimum of $720 for the
lowest paid doctor.

3. The Health Services Board urgently implements the agreed Duty free
framework for all government doctors.

The association will from time to time beginning this Monday will release daily
updates of the operational strategies for this seemingly long battle and industrial
action. All doctors are advised to cooperate as this historic action will prevent the
ensuing cancerous destruction of our noble profession.

Yours in defence of the medical profession

ZHDA National Committee and Advisory Panel.