More than 200 doctors at Maputo Central Hospital (HCM) began an indefinite strike on Sunday, June 1, suspending all activities outside regular working hours in protest over more than a year of unpaid overtime, according to Radio France.
The strike, announced by a group of professionals who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, covers all activities outside the 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. schedule, including night rounds and weekend services.
“We still don’t know how long the strike will last because we understand that minimum care must be guaranteed. But beyond that, there is no forecast for a resolution,” explained one of the doctors involved, highlighting the exhaustion caused by a situation that has been dragging on for over two years.
According to resident doctors, the main reason for the strike is the non-payment of accumulated overtime for more than a year, but they also criticize the precarious working conditions, especially in the emergency department.
“Last year, we went on strike for about two months for the same reasons. The emergency department operates without minimum conditions. To give you an idea, not even drinking water is available for staff during night shifts,” said the same doctor.
Regarding the unpaid wages, the only response from management has reportedly been repeated assurances that “the process is ongoing and with the Finance Ministry,” with no concrete developments.
As a key referral hospital in the national healthcare system, the HCM could face serious disruptions if the situation is not resolved quickly. The strike by resident doctors compromises the functioning of emergency services and several inpatient departments, where their role is essential.
So far, the HCM management has not made any official statements regarding the strike, nor addressed the doctors’ demands publicly.
The strike comes at a time when the healthcare system remains under strain, with ongoing reports of shortages in human, material, and financial resources. For the resident doctors, this is not just a fight for overdue wages, but also for dignified working conditions and respect for the medical profession.
Source: Diário Económico
