Resident doctors at Maputo's Central Hospital (HCM) are threatening to suspend overtime work as of June 1, because they have not been paid overtime since last year.

According to information contained in a letter sent to the Director General of HCM, quoted by the newspaper "The Country", the professionals say they will not work after 3.30pm, on public holidays and weekends, until the 13-month debt is paid off.

This is yet another interruption in the class, the last one was last year, between the months of May, June and July.

Last week, the Association of United and Solidarity Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM) decided to extend the strike, which began on April 17, by another 30 days, on the grounds that the government has yet to pay overtime and shift allowances.

"The strike will be carried out again in phases, if the government intends to continue with the arm wrestling with the negotiating team," says the APSUSM note.

The association says it has been calling for structural improvements in the sector for more than three years, including the regular supply of medicines to hospitals - which in many cases are bought by the patients themselves - the purchase of hospital beds, the availability of food in inpatient services and the proper equipping of ambulances and staff with non-disposable personal protective equipment.

In the absence of a response, the professionals announced that they would continue to work single shifts, with daily shifts from 7 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., with no services on weekends or public holidays.

(Photo DR)