The government has resolved to carry on with talks with the Health Apex Council to avert a potentially crippling strike by medical practitioners in the public health delivery system.
On Monday, Vice President Kembo Mohadi met the Health Services Board (HSB) and the Health Apex Council where he urged them to continue with their dialogue while the government works on finding a lasting solution to the problems being faced by medical professionals.
This was revealed by HSB chairman Dr Paulinus Sikosana. Speaking to The Herald on Monday night, she said:
Vice President Mohadi was supportive of the negotiations and called on both parties to continue dialoguing while Government plays its part.
Dr Sikosana said that she was surprised by the doctors’ plans to embark on industrial action as there was no indication of that eventuality during their last meeting. She said:
The records of the Bipartite meeting held on Thursday 29 August do not show any dissent from any members of the Health Apex Council.
The agreement was signed by the Apex leader following an outcome of a vote by all Apex representatives.
This is what the Apex leader told the Government representatives at the meeting.
Dr Sikosana also revealed that flexible working hours for nurses should continue.