North Darfur medics continue strike in El Fasher

Medical doctors in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher resumed their strike last week in protest against the delay of their financial entitlements, the deteriorating work environment, and the poor housing conditions.

The medics embarked on a strike on Thursday, after talks with the hospital managements and the state Ministry of Health had failed. They decided to end the strike later that day after a meeting with North Darfur state officials.

On Tuesday, the doctors issued a second statement in which they stress that they will only end the strike when all their demands are met.

One of them reported to Radio Dabanga that the state authorities ignored them again after they ended their strike. “Therefore, we decided to resume the strike immediately, and persist, whatever terrorist measures the state authorities might take to threaten us.”

The medic expressed his and his colleagues are “keen to treat the patients, but the conditions in which we have to work and live make it very difficult for us to perform our duties”.

He said that the more than 75 doctors stopped working in El Fasher Teaching Hospital. “Those working at the Saudi Hospital will join the strike again if the health authorities have not responded before Wednesday.”