South Darfur medical strike continues

The medical staff of Nyala Hospital in South Darfur are still on strike after an assault by about 10 members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a doctor in the hospital. The open-ended strike was called on Sunday after the government authorities failed to take any action against the culprits. A medical source told Radio Dabanga on Tuesday that in an attempt to appease the angry medics, local authorities in Nyala have made a commitment to place a police patrol vehicle with police and army personnel at the hospital gates. The medics are sceptical, however, saying that “the local authorities do not keep their commitments”. The doctors first demand an apology for what has happened, and that the perpetrators be brought to justice. They also demand that patients who are members of the regular forces be transferred to police or army medical facilities. The hospital staff also demanding the payment of their salaries which have accumulated for eight years without payment from the government. File photo by Hamid Abdulsalam/Unamid Related: South Darfur hospital strikes against militia attacks (10 June 2014) South Darfur teachers demand monthly salary payment (18 May 2014)Striking doctors attacked at South Darfur hospital (29 January 2014)