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Diana Nherera Herald Reporters
Major hospitals in Harare recorded a low patient turnout yesterday as only emergency cases were being attended to by senior doctors following a strike by junior doctors who are demanding a salary increment from $282 to $1 200.
A visit by The Herald to Parirenyatwa Hospital revealed a low patient turnout at the hospital’s casualty department due to the strike.

It was the same situation at Harare Hospital as its Outpatient Department was empty and there was a notice at the door informing patients that doctors were on strike that started this Monday.

Patients could be seen returning home after reading the notice of the doctors’ strike.

In Bulawayo, at Mpilo Central Hospital, clinical director, Dr Wedu Ndebele, said the military and police were mobilising doctors to help them following a request by the hospital.

He said only one military doctor and a junior doctor had so far reported for duty.

But doctors at Chitungwiza Central Hospital defied calls by members of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association to down tools.

Chief executive officer of Chitungwiza Central Hospital Dr Obadiah Moyo said in an interview that doctors at the hospital were reporting for duty as normal.

“Doctors are there. It is just a normal working day for our doctors,” said Dr Moyo.