Zimbabwe’s hospitals turn away patients as doctors’ strike escalates
Harare — Zimbabwe’s main state hospitals turned away many patients and only attended to emergency cases on Wednesday as a strike by doctors escalated. The strike, which aims to put pressure on the government to address chronic drugs shortages and increase salaries, has spread since starting two weeks ago among junior doctors. "We will only return to work when all issues raised have been fully resolved," the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association said in a statement. "We note with concern the closure of almost all central hospitals, children’s units, provincial hospitals and cessation of emergency life-saving procedures throughout the country." On Wednesday, senior doctors joined the strike, stoking fears of loss of lives. Labour unrest could pose a test for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came to power in November after the fall of Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa has vowed to revive the economy and boost investment, after public-sector strikes were a regular feature of Mugabe’s rule due t...
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