DRC: doctors on strike to demand better working conditions
View of Makala General Hospital in Kinshasa, DRC.
© RFI/ Ophelie Lahccen
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the National Union of Doctors (Synamed) has been on strike for months.
This week, the doctors decided to harden their movement by launching the operation “hospitals without doctors”.
They are demanding better working conditions, but above all respect for the commitments made by the government to increase their salaries.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Patient Ligodi
At the general hospital in Kinshasa, DRC, the beds in several treatment rooms are full of patients.
The few doctors present go around and take turns for almost two months to hold the service.
“
Patients who are hospitalized are seen by the heads of departments and heads of services.
We, Synamed, we no longer receive patients
, ”explains Dr. Aimé Umba, one of the Synamed managers of this public hospital, the largest in the city.
For his part, Doctor Fabien Nzoko, Deputy Secretary General of the trade union organization, points to the government as responsible for the situation: “
It is up to the government to approach the government to take into account the distress of the population
, affirms- he.
Not everyone can afford treatment abroad or in private homes.
The responsibility for what happens to the Congolese people rests with the government.
»
At the heart of the conflict, the implementation of the agreement signed between trade unionists and the government on August 3, 2021 on the working conditions of doctors.
The white coats demand, among other things, travel and accommodation allowances, as negotiated.
“
Just for young doctors
,” continues Dr. Aimé Umba, “
the government has undertaken to pay 400,000 Congolese francs monthly, equivalent to 200 dollars.
»
For its part, the government has announced the organization in the coming days of a so-called harmonization of views workshop to finalize the dialogue and avoid paralysis of the health sector.
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