Ugandan doctors start nationwide strike over low pay

Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-07 14:24:26|Editor: liuxin
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KAMPALA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan doctors on Monday started a nationwide strike following the government failure to respond to their calls for a salary pay rise and better working conditions in public hospitals.

The doctors, led by the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), began the strike after rejecting a call to cancel the move made by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and health ministry officials at a bilateral meeting held earlier Monday in the capital Kampala

"I would advise the industrial action that has been called be suspended as we look at your grievances," said Rugunda.

Ekwaro Obuk, president of UMA, an umbrella organization of Uganda's medical doctors, told Xinhua that the strike will continue unless the government meets their demands to improve pay, lack of drugs and medical supplies so that they can better work.

"We have officially launched the industrial action. We shall not resume until our problems are addressed," said Obuk.

"Our main target (of the strike) is to show our displeasure with the payment and work conditions," said UMA General Secretary Mukuzi Muhereza in a statement.

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