The Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) has added its voice to the decision by the Physician Assistants Union of Malawi (PAUM) and Nurses Union of Malawi (NONM) to call for nationwide strike over poor wages.
Efforts by the Ministry of Health to avert the industrial action failed last week as negotiations between the government, through the Ministry of Health, and representatives of healthcare workers, could not yield the much-desired results.
It is worth noting that efforts to resolve these issues began in November 2023, with the Malawi Human Rights Commission stepping in as a conciliator. A conciliation agreement was reached and signed.
However, the government has yet to implement this agreement, exacerbating the frustration and hardships faced by these essential healthcare workers.
This has prompted NONM and PAUM to call for a nationwide sit-in whose major casualties will likely be poor Malawians.
On Thursday evening, NONM president Shouts Galang’aza Simeza and his PAUM counterpart, Solomon David Chomba, wrote to authorities, including Directors General (DGs) of the country’s central hospitals, Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) and others, confirming their resolution to go on indefinite strike effective June 10, 2024.
“We write to CONFIRM to you that the above-mentioned healthcare workers will begin their sit-in as communicated in an earlier letter dated May 16, 2024, Reference Number NONM/PAUM/008/16/2024. As announced, the details of the sit-in will be as follows: Date: 10th June 2024, Time: 7:30 AM (NON – STOP), Venue: All Public and CHAM Hospitals across the country. 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,” reads the letter Simeza and Chomba signed on behalf of their respective bodies.
And in reaction to the development, GACOPA president Austin Oduor Otieno expressed concern over the fall of the negotiations.
However, Otieno said his organization stands in solidarity with their local counterparts.
“We urgently call on the Government of Malawi, particularly the Honourable Minister of Health, to take immediate action to avert this looming crisis. Clinical officers play an indispensable role in Malawi’s healthcare system, demonstrating exceptional surgical skills and healthcare expertise. Their contributions have made Malawi a role model for many countries. Despite their critical role, clinical officers in Malawi are paid the lowest salaries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This disparity is not only unjust but also detrimental to the healthcare system’s sustainability and effectiveness,” reads his statement.
Otieno described the demands put forth by PAUM and NONM as justifiable and merit urgent attention from the Malawi Government.
He warned that failure to address these concerns will likely lead to a deterioration in healthcare services across the country, severely affecting the health and well-being of the Malawian people.
“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Malawi and urge the Government of Malawi to honor the conciliation agreement and ensure fair compensation and working conditions for all healthcare professionals. The health of the nation, often referred to as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” depends on it,” emphasized Otieno.
There has been no immediate reaction from the Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.
