Medical strike brings 46 hospitals to a standstill in Sudan

The doctors’ strike in Sudan, which was renewed on Thursday, now extends to 46 hospitals, including 21 in Khartoum state. The Central Committee of Doctors say that the strike started in most states of Sudan at 9 am on Thursday, including all sections, except for emergencies and accidents.

Following a spate of attacks and armed robberies on doctors, medical professionals across Sudan have downed tools, demanding better security and protection while working, and better working conditions.

The Committee’s Dr Mohamed Naji El Asam told Radio Dabanga that security services and hospital administrations have threatened the doctors with arrest and dismissal, in addition to harassment at hostel meetings. The Sudanese security apparatus and the police prohibit people from carrying posters that express the strike objectives.

He said that the doctors at Kassala, Sennar, El Obeid, Ed Damazin, the Turkish and Albanian Jadeed in Khartoum, and Omdurman hospitals have been subjected to threats and harassment.

“Twisted methods”

He accused the government of “resorting to twisted methods to break the strike, including distribution of 800 interns in government hospitals. However the interns immediately joined the strike after completing their appointment procedures.” Dr El Asam said that another government tactic is to provide “attractive offers” for doctors to work in Khartoum. “But none accepted these offers.”

He described the Government of not being serious in dealing with the demands of the doctors of improving work environment, providing emergency medical equipment, improving the conditions of service and protection for doctors.

He said the Health Ministry has not responded to the demands of the doctors and expressed surprise at the Government's description of the doctors' strike as political.

Doctors’ Union

The Chairman of the Sudanese Doctors’ Union, Dr Ahmed El Sheikh, said that that the security services arrested five students from the Faculty of Medicine of Khartoum University.

He said that the strike will not be lifted until the doctors’ demands have been met, however, he said that no governmental organ has contacted the Union or the Committee of Doctors to address the issues.

Solidarity and support

Broad sectors of the Sudanese community including political parties, armed movements, civil society organisations, and work unions have expressed solidarity and support for the doctors' strike.

The National Consensus Forces, Sudan Appeal, the Communist Party, the Umma, Baath, the Sudanese Congress and the Federal Unionist parties have announced their support for the doctors ' legitimate demands.

Khalid Omar, the Deputy President of the Sudanese Congress Party announced standing with doctors to get their rights and dignity as part of the dignity of the Sudanese people.

Diaspora

The Sudanese expat doctors in Britain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have expressed their absolute support for the Sudanese doctors' strike.

The Sudanese journalists’ network has also expressed support for the legitimate demands of the doctors and called on all media to reflect the causes of the doctors and their strike.

The security services banned newspapers from publishing any activities or news about the doctors’ strike by forcing editors adopt a line hostile to the strike. In addition, the Sudanese security apparatus is flooding of the social media with confusing and conflicting reports about the doctors’ strike and demands.