Government promises to reach consensus with health workers

Maputo, 15 May (AIM) – The Mozambican government has guaranteed that it is working to reach a consensus with the Mozambican Association of United Health Professionals (APSUSM) and solve constraints concerning the Single Wage Scale (TSU), which was implemented in the state administration last year.

APSUSM claimed that its members began a nationwide strike on 29 April, but journalists who have visited health units report that most services are continuing as normal.

According to the government spokesperson, Deputy Justice Minister Filimão Suaze, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, in Maputo, at the end of a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), the implementation of the TSU in the public administration has been successful.

“Our position is that dialogue prevails, and efforts are being made on the part of the government to overcome the problems presented, not only by health workers, but by public servants, in general” said Suaze.

Suaze believes that the strategy of dialogue with health professionals is moving in a good direction towards achieving positive results on both sides.

“Our strategy of dialogue has been having the desired effect and we hope that as soon as possible the dispute that still exists with the health workers will be solved”, he said.

However, APSUSM leaders have threatened to suspend even minimum health services throughout the country, and claim that as a result of the strike 701 patients had died during the second week of the strike, compared with 327 in the first week.

These figures are absurd, and were flatly denied by Health Minister Armindo Tiago.

APSUSM is also demanding improvements in working conditions, including the good supply of medicines, medical and surgical equipment, fair payment for overtime, food for hospitalized patients, as well as more hospital beds to avoid overcrowding.

Suaze also revealed that the government has declared an end to the outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 (PVS1) in the country, which was first reported in August 2022 in the central province of Tete, when nine cases were detected.

(AIM)

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