Health workers stick to protest

Healthcare workers have stood their ground that come Monday public health facilities will be shut until the government implements their revised allowances and reviews conditions of service.

In a joint statement dated June 5 2024, the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (Nonm) and Physician Assistants Union of Malawi (Paum) have said the nationwide sit-in  starting on June 10 will end when their grievances are resolved.

Paum president Solomon Chomba and Nonm leader Shouts Simeza informed all referral hospital directors, district directors of health and social services and Christian Health Association of Malawi district hospital directors of the impending strike.

Reads their statement in part: “By this letter, we write to request you all to prepare accordingly for the needed coverage of the hospitals during the entire period of the sit-in.

“As you may be aware, we are currently unable to indicate the duration of the sit-in as it is dependent on the response and action by the government.”

 But in an interview on Thursday, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said they will continue engaging concerned parties to avert the sit-in.

 She said: “I don’t want to say anything for now, negotiations are still in progress. I know, and I am very much aware that Monday is nearing, and we don’t even want to get to that stage.

 “This is why as a government, we remain committed, and are still talking with them, negotiating. I don’t think anybody is interested in having the sit-in because it affects health service delivery in the country.”

 Chiponda said that even those in the Ministry of Health, including the nurses and doctors, need hospitals as they have relatives who will need medical care and help.

 But Chomba said there will no longer be any discussions between the two groups as all channels have been exhausted.

 “What our members need now is the implementation of the conciliation agreement,” he said.

 On Wedensday, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda’s intervention failed to yield results as the healthcare workers opted to stick to their plan.

 Besides agreeing to implement a 15 percent salary increment, the government committed to increase several allowances, including locum rates, risk or medical allowance, government top-up and professional allowance.