The strike by the Mozambican medical profession, which began on October 10 and was extended yesterday for another 21 days, is compromising the normal functioning of health services, especially at the Beira Central Hospital (HCB) in Sofala. This is because many in this province have joined the strike.

The HCB is a reference hospital, the second largest in the country, and serves the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Zambézia and Tete in terms of specialized services.

According to VOA, work in the operating theaters is running on empty, and the chief doctors who didn't join the strike, in the company of foreign doctors, are unable to meet the demand.

According to users, many surgeries, except emergency ones, are not being carried out, and outpatient appointments have been postponed, causing embarrassment to patients and their families who regret the situation.

"I came with a family member for surgery, we weren't seen, I don't know if tomorrow will be the same because the doctors aren't working," said one of the interviewees, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.

Another said that "this is worrying, the government should sit down with the professional class to resolve this".

In fact, the impact of the strike is most visible in the HCB's seven wards, where the head doctors and foreign doctors are unable to make regular morning medical visits to inpatients, focusing their attention on emergency consultations at the Banco do Socorro, where the flood of patients is undeniable.

Yesterday, the Mozambican Medical Association (AMM) decided to extend the doctors' strike for another 21 days, as they continue to identify problems with the doctors' inclusion in the new Single Salary Table (TSU).

"The medical profession unanimously decided to extend the strike for another 21 days, which means it will continue until August 21," Milton Tatia, president of the AMM, told the media after a meeting of the association.