Medical strike in Sudan expanding

The strike of medical doctors in Sudan has gained more support as paediatric specialists and surgeons, psychiatrists, and dentists have downed their tools as well. Medics of 90 state hospitals are now on strike. The authorities dispatched life-saving medicines and medical equipment to various hospitals in Khartoum over the weekend.

Following a spate of attacks and armed robberies on doctors, medical professionals across Sudan embarked on an open-ended strike on Thursday, demanding protection while working, a pay rise, and better working conditions.

The Central Committee of Doctors announced in a statement on Sunday that the strike extended to 90 government hospitals in the country over the weekend. The Sudan Women Union and the Veterinarians’ Association have expressed their solidarity.

Dr Mohamed Naji El Asaf, spokesman for the doctors’ committee said that members of the Psychiatrists Association and medical staff at the El Tijani El Mahi Hospital, El Amal El Watani, and El Salah El Tibi hospital in Khartoum joined the strike as well.

He noted that four striking doctors at the Khartoum Teaching Hospital and four medical staff of the Kassala National Service Coordination Body were dismissed.

'Stacked'

Medical sources explained to Radio Dabanga that over the weekend the authorities have dispatched medines and equipment to those hospitals in Khartoum where the doctors are striking.

They said that about 20 kinds of life-saving medicines and medical equipment, “stacked for a long time”, were brought in from stores belonging to the Khartoum State Health Ministry. “We wonder why we need to strike to receive the hospitals’ daily requirements.”

In a statement on Sunday, the State Syndicate of Medical and Health Professionals denounced the provision of medicines and medical equipment “worth millions of Pounds” to the hospitals “after the crisis aggravated”.

The Syndicate further reported "58 recent cases of assaults on medics. Half of the attacks are perpetrated by police and security agents”.