Sudan doctors extend strike suspension for a week

The Sudanese Central Committee of Doctors has announced that the suspension of the medical strike will be extended by a week.

Dr Hossam El Ameen El Badawi, the spokesman for the Doctors’ Committee, told Radio Dabanga on Friday that the general assembly of physicians agreed to give the government more time to implement its commitments.

The doctors will now meet next Thursday to discuss the implementation of their demands, as pledged by the Second Vice-President Hassabo Abdelrahman last Thursday.

On 6 October, doctors and medical professionals in various parts of Sudan embarked on an open-ended strike, in protest against repeated attacks on members of their profession across the country. They demanded protection while working, a pay rise, and better working conditions. A week later the medical staff of 136 state hospitals had downed tools.

After reaching an agreement with the Vice-President and the federal Minister of Health Bahar Abu Garda last Thursday, the doctors called off the strike.

El Badawi said that the agreement includes the preparation of a new law to protect doctors and medical staff against attacks by patients and their relatives, an adjustment in the regulations for travelling abroad, and the reinstatement of all doctors dismissed during the strike.

The emergency sections of at least 22 state hospitals in the country will be revamped, and the Khartoum Teaching Hospital will be re-opened. Critical cases and children under five years will be treated for free during the first 24 hours of admission. The salaries of assistant specialists will be adjusted to those of specialists.

The Health Ministry has acknowledged shortcomings in the overall provision of health services coverage in all states of Sudan. At least seven of the country’s 18 states suffer a severe shortage of doctors and health personnel, according to the Ministry. It has begun implementing the Vice-President’s orders by requesting the Finance Ministry to provide SDG1.5 million ($235,000) to improve the doctors’ hostels, and SDG15 million ($2.35 million) to train 1,500 more doctors.