HARARE – Doctors fear the government plans to make it harder for them to seek employment opportunities abroad after the health ministry announced a cumbersome new process to get clearance.
Zimbabwe’s 5,000 doctors have twice been on strike over the last 12 months decrying salaries as low as Z$9,450 (US$115) per month. Many are reportedly ready to leave when the coronavirus lockdown is lifted from October 1.
Doctors who found jobs in the region and overseas previously were required to obtain a “Certificate of Good Standing” which had to be signed by a senior doctor with five years’ experience and a senior member of the profession, provincial medical director or medical superintendent they last practised with in the previous six months.
Early this year before the outbreak of the coronavirus, the clearance letter issued by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe cost Z$1,500.
The ministry of health has now decreed that doctors must pay US$200 upfront for the application which must be signed by two people and approved by a third.
A hospital clinical director, provincial medical director or medical superintendent must first sign, followed by the Director of Curative Services in the ministry of health and child care before the application finally goes to the ministry’s permanent secretary for “approval.”
“The government has resorted to blocking health workers from leaving the country by imposing stringent conditions,” a medical doctor who is preparing to leave the country told ZimLive.
The doctor said he had found a job in the United Kingdom, and he knew over a dozen friends who are also ready to leave.
“Many healthcare workers, including nurses, are waiting for lockdown regulations to be eased so they can leave for greener pastures. They’ve already written the required exams. An exodus is coming.”
Nurses recently called off their two-month strike, they said in order to give new health minister Constantino Chiwenga an opportunity to resolve their pay dispute.
