Doctors who do not return to work as a result of the strike will have their salaries deducted, said Health Minister Armindo Tiago during a working visit to Quelimane Central Hospital.

He justified the measure by saying that the civil service is governed by rules and these will be complied with, explaining that "the government will apply the law which states that those who don't go to work are absent with salary implications".

As for the legality of the strike, the minister, who is also a doctor by profession, preferred not to comment on the matter, limiting himself to saying that "all we are saying is that we will apply the law to those who are absent".