The situation in most public hospitals is getting worse as more doctors and other health workers join the strike to press the government to respond to their claims.
A survey conducted by The Guardian in a number of public hospitals found that there were no services for outpatients, forcing those with financial means to seek them in private hospitals.
At Muhimbili National Hospital the situation had worsened as more doctors boycotted work. The only ward where services were continuing was the children’s ward.
Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA), Muhimbili branch has given the government up to Monday next week to ensure that it settles the doctors’ claims or else they will join the strike.
Other hospitals which have suspended services included Amana, Mwananyamala, Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).
Most patients complained that they have not being attended to since Thursday noting that the situation worsened yesterday as majority of the doctors joined in the strike.
A patient identified as Janeth Kasembe from Masasi in Mtwara Region said she was supposed to be operated on yesterday but the doctor was absent due to the strike.
“I came to the hospital on Monday and I was examined and told to come back today for the operation, but the doctor who was to do the job was not there…I call upon the government to resolve the issue because it is affecting us innocent patients who need the doctors’ services,” Kasembe said.
Rashid Mohamed of Dar es Salaam said that the doctors’ strike has affected many patients citing a sick relative who had not received services since Thursday.
Reached for comments MNH Public Relations Officer Aminieli Algaesha confirmed the reports saying most of the services at the hospital were stalled, adding that only the children’s ward and emergency sections were operating.
Meanwhile, Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA), Muhimbili branch chairman Magesa Paul called upon the government to urgently find solution to doctors’ grievances so as to restore normal healthcare services in the country.
Magesa said the government and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should settle the doctors’ claims or else they will also join the strike on Monday.
“The two sides must be ready to meet and reach an agreement that will see this problem solved,” said Magesa.
He commended Muhimbili nurses for their tolerance in working without doctors and asked them to be patient until Monday when they will decide on their fate.
The ministry of health on Thursday said that the government was working on the doctors’ demands, citing proposals for higher allowances among other packages which were awaiting approval from higher authorities.
Speaking to journalists, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr Haji Mponda said that his ministry has been holding a number of meetings with Medical Association of Tanzania leaders to discuss their demands.
He was speaking as the striking medics rejected an appeal from Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda to meet with their representatives, insisting on meeting him directly.
Dr Mponda pleaded with the striking doctors to recognize the efforts being made by the government and resume work while it works on their claims to save lives of many Tanzanians who need their service.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Silvanus
A survey conducted by The Guardian in a number of public hospitals found that there were no services for outpatients, forcing those with financial means to seek them in private hospitals.
At Muhimbili National Hospital the situation had worsened as more doctors boycotted work. The only ward where services were continuing was the children’s ward.
Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA), Muhimbili branch has given the government up to Monday next week to ensure that it settles the doctors’ claims or else they will join the strike.
Other hospitals which have suspended services included Amana, Mwananyamala, Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).
Most patients complained that they have not being attended to since Thursday noting that the situation worsened yesterday as majority of the doctors joined in the strike.
A patient identified as Janeth Kasembe from Masasi in Mtwara Region said she was supposed to be operated on yesterday but the doctor was absent due to the strike.
“I came to the hospital on Monday and I was examined and told to come back today for the operation, but the doctor who was to do the job was not there…I call upon the government to resolve the issue because it is affecting us innocent patients who need the doctors’ services,” Kasembe said.
Rashid Mohamed of Dar es Salaam said that the doctors’ strike has affected many patients citing a sick relative who had not received services since Thursday.
Reached for comments MNH Public Relations Officer Aminieli Algaesha confirmed the reports saying most of the services at the hospital were stalled, adding that only the children’s ward and emergency sections were operating.
Meanwhile, Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA), Muhimbili branch chairman Magesa Paul called upon the government to urgently find solution to doctors’ grievances so as to restore normal healthcare services in the country.
Magesa said the government and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should settle the doctors’ claims or else they will also join the strike on Monday.
“The two sides must be ready to meet and reach an agreement that will see this problem solved,” said Magesa.
He commended Muhimbili nurses for their tolerance in working without doctors and asked them to be patient until Monday when they will decide on their fate.
The ministry of health on Thursday said that the government was working on the doctors’ demands, citing proposals for higher allowances among other packages which were awaiting approval from higher authorities.
Speaking to journalists, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr Haji Mponda said that his ministry has been holding a number of meetings with Medical Association of Tanzania leaders to discuss their demands.
He was speaking as the striking medics rejected an appeal from Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda to meet with their representatives, insisting on meeting him directly.
Dr Mponda pleaded with the striking doctors to recognize the efforts being made by the government and resume work while it works on their claims to save lives of many Tanzanians who need their service.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Silvanus
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