North Darfur: Lock-out for striking medics

The North Darfur Ministry of Health issued an order on Wednesday dismissing more than 45 striking medical staff, and barring them from the Ministry’s premises, which have been occupied by the security services.

One of the doctors told radio Dabanga that medical staff face difficult financial and humanitarian circumstances, because they cannot find housing or shelter within the city of El Fasher.

As reported yesterday by Radio Dabanga, agents of the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) raided doctors’ houses and hostels in the North Darfur capital and forced them to leave at gunpoint on Monday.

More than 45 medical staff including doctors, interns, and specialists, have been on strike in El Fasher since 28 July in protest against monies due to the hospital employees, and the deterioration of medical services.

One of the doctors from El Fasher said they filed a memorandum to the Ministry of Health containing a their demands concerning the reform of the working environment, improvement of their housing situation, and renovation of their houses, but the Minister of Health ignored their demands and refused to receive their memorandum.