And police in Chingola yesterday arrested five health union officials for blocking workers from reporting for work at Nchanga North Hospital.
Chief Government spokesperson Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha said in a statement yesterday that nurses and other medical staff who are still on strike and may be afraid of harassment from fellow workers should go back to work as sufficient security measurers have been put in place.
However, he said those still on strike should take seriously the warning and ultimatum by Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao that they will lose their jobs if they do not report for work on Monday.
“The nurses, who have stayed away from work without authority for more than 10 days as required by the Public Service Code of Conduct, are being reminded that Government will fire them from their jobs on grounds that they have participated in an illegal strike and that they are in breach of the Florence Nightingale pledge to save human life, which they swore upon graduation,” Gen. Shikapwasha said.
He said Government has been more than accommodating in not having taken this action against those on strike on the understanding that on their own, they would appreciate the illegality of their action.
Gen. Shikapwasha said nurses should examine their consciences over a strike that is not supported by their union and which is a clear breach of their Florence Nightingale professional pledge.
“Government would also like to remind the striking nurses that when they complete their professional training, they undergo an internship where they take the pledge to save human life and should, therefore, be prepared to take the consequences of breaching the pledge,” he said.
Gen. Shikapwasha said vacant positions arising from those who will be fired will be offered to retired nurses and other health workers including those from within the southern African region.
Meanwhile, police in Chingola yesterday arrested five health union officials for blocking workers from reporting for work at Nchanga North Hospital.
The five union officials are from Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) and Zambia National Health and Allied Workers (ZANAW).
The union officials were also questioned for holding a meeting without a police permit.
Copperbelt police commanding officer Antonneil Mutentwa confirmed the development in Kitwe yesterday.
Mr Mutentwa said a number of health workers reported for work but that they were blocked by their colleagues who wanted the strike to continue.
He said the workers held a meeting contrary to the directive by the Ministry of Health not to hold such gatherings in health institutions.
Meanwhile, police in Lusaka and Ndola sealed off hospitals and health centres where they blocked striking nurses who wanted to hold meetings within the premises.
In Ndola, health workers who were dispersed by police later gathered at Kansenshi Cemetery where they held their meeting.
Police, clad in riot gear, led by Ndola police deputy officer commanding Anderson Chengo, sealed off Ndola Central Hospital at about 10:30 hours.
Earlier, Mr Chengo told the health workers who gathered in the dining hall to disperse.
“The meeting should not have been here, I am actually late. Your union leaders will briefly talk to you and you should follow what they will say,” Mr Chengo said.
Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) Ndola district chairperson, Joy Beene told the workers that union officials would brief them after consultations.
“After we have done our consultations, we will be on Radio Icengelo,” Mr Beene said.
But the workers later assembled outside the hospital buildings in
defiance of Mr Chengo’s advice to disperse and later held their meeting in the grave yard.
In Lusaka, nurses at the University Teaching Hospital who gathered on the lawn within the hospital premises, were dispersed by police.
At Kamwala and Kabwata clinics, police barred nurses from gaining entry to the premises.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Leonard Hikaumba said he will meet the nurses after a meeting which he is scheduled to hold with the Secretary to the Cabinet.
Mr Hikaumba said in an interview that he is on standby for a meeting with the Secretary to the Cabinet.
He said after that, union leaders will meet with the nurses to inform them on the outcome of the meeting, and reason with them to return to work on Monday.
Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao said during a press briefing on Thursday that striking workers will not be allowed to gather within the hospital premises.
Meanwhile, the Heritage Party in Ndola has appealed to the striking health workers to resume work for the benefit of the nation.
Heritage Party Ndola central constituency chairman, Joseph Phiri said this in a statement issued in Ndola yesterday.
“My appeal is for health workers to emulate the teachers who have resumed work and have continued discussing the issue of salaries with their union leaders,” he said.
He said many people are suffering as a result of the strike.
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