Doctors stage sit-in, health minister considers it election fever [Archives:2006/973/Front Page]
Amel Al-Ariqi
SANA'A, Aug. 15 ) Hundreds of physicians and pharmacists conducted a sit-in Tuesday in front of the Cabinet in Sana'a, protesting what they consider is government's lack of commitment toward health sector employees' demands.
“We're here today asking the government to fulfill it promise to raise physician and pharmacist wages on the basis of Article 26 in the 2002 Wage Law,” said Dr. Mohammed Al-Thawer, head of the Yemeni Physicians and Pharmacists syndicate. “We ask for no less than $500 for physician and pharmacy graduates and more premiums for specialists,” he added.
Beginning their strike in the early morning, physicians and pharmacists raised Yemeni flags and signs reading, “Current salaries are a humiliation to the occupation and contempt for its employees!”
Doctors confirmed that what they receive isn't enough to survive. “The average doctor's monthly salary in Yemen is YR 25,000-YR 30,000 (less than $200), whereas specialists make YR 35,000-YR 40,000 (about $200),” said Dr. Mohammed Al-Jaradi, head of the syndicate's Sana'a office.
However, Dr. Hamdiah Al-Qatan explained that some doctors earn only YR 17,000 (less than $100). “This amount doesn't even cover transportation expenses, so how can a doctor in this situation treat patients when he's tired and hungry?” she wondered.
Many qualified physicians emigrate abroad seeking better lives, according to Al-Qatan, who confirmed that poor performance of medical personnel is a reflection of the difficult circumstances they suffer. “If the government wants to improve medical conditions in Yemen, it must fix and improve doctors' situations,” she concluded.
“We will carry out all legal and constitutional means to express our demands and rights,” said Dr. Najeeb Abu Osaba, who insisted on doctors' right to hold sit-ins to express their demands.
Six weeks ago, the syndicate met with the Minister of Health and Minister of Civil Service, who hinted that the medical staff situation would improve when the new wage and salary scale goes into effect, according to Abu Osaba, who added, “We gave the Ministry of Health limited time to keep its promise; however, when nothing was done, we conducted this sit in and we'll continue holding such activities until we attain our rights,” he confirmed.
The syndicate issued a statement delivered to Yemen's prime minister, demanding, “Implementation of a just compensation structure for doctors and pharmacists, along with improved conditions in which health sector employees work.” The statement ended by threatening to hold a sit-in before the presidency building if the government ignores their demands.
Minister of Health and Population Dr. Abdul Kareem Rasa told Saba News Agency that the doctors who arranged the sit-in “belong to the Joint Meeting Parties.” He considers their statement as “coming in the context of election fever, which has caught some individuals, to achieve small factional benefits,” and described their attitude as an irresponsible act.
The minister wondered about the syndicate's invitation to sits-in in time for a committee consisting of syndicate physicians, pharmacists, dentists and nurses, to prepare a draft project by which health workers would be granted a professional allowance according to Article 30 of the national wage and salary strategy.
He affirmed that his ministry will go forward in completing discussions of the project with the Ministry of Civil Service and Insurances and the Ministry of Finance to be put into effect soon.
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