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Health Ministry Calls for Dialogue Again
Maputo, 13 Dec (AIM) – The Mozambican Ministry of Health on Tuesday reiterated that dialogue is the best way of overcoming the differences between the government and the country’s doctors.
The Ministry’s National Director of Human Resources, Norton Pinto, reaffirmed this position in Maputo during the launch of an Ethics Code for Nursing. He was speaking on the ninth day of a doctors’ strike called by the Mozambican Medical Association (AMM).
The Ministry, he said, wanted “to continue working in our noble mission regardless of the challenges, or misunderstandings or constraints that may emerge day to day, and the best approach we have identified is dialogue. Dialogue will continue to be the best path to solve the disputes that may arise”.
He urged those doctors on strike to return to work in order to meet the health requirements of the Mozambican population.
The justification for the strike is alleged irregularities in paying doctors’ wages through the new Unified Wage Table (TSU) for the public sector.
The AMM says its concerns include overtime pay, bonuses, working conditions, and incentives for research. The government, however, says it has tried to consolidate all bonuses and allowances into the basic wage, and is unwilling to re-introduce bonuses.
The Health Ministry says that only a minority of doctors (no more than 14 per cent) have joined the strike, mostly in Maputo. In the northern provinces, health units are working normally, and the strike is having little impact.
Health Minister Armindo Tiago has warned that doctors on strike will not be paid for days they do not turn up for work.
(AIM)
Amq/pf (271)
