BY IKOME CHRISTIE-NOELLA EPOSI and ESTHER QUI
Following the call made by the Cameroon Doctors’ Trade Union, SYMEC, to observe the second phase of their strike action which was slated from May 15 to 17 2017 throughout the national territory, some medical institutions in the South West region especially Buea, seem to have given a deaf ear to the call.
Talking to a doctor in a private hospital in Buea who preferred anonymity, he complained about the marginalization of doctors in the society. When asked whether doctors in Buea observed the strike called by SYMEC he said: “There is a problem of communication in the health sector that is why the doctors of public hospitals did not observe the strike. There is lack of collaboration or togetherness.”
Unlike the Lawyers and teachers who could stay at home without going to work, the doctor noted that the case is different with the medical profession. Doctors cannot stay home while a patient is really in need of medical care and dying in the hospital.
He went on to add that he understood why his government paid colleagues did not observe the strike: “Certainly they are afraid they will also be transferred to remote areas like their colleagues who were transferred recently. One has to be very careful these days, because there is no freedom of expression.”
By press time, all efforts to talk to doctors of public hospitals were futile. They were hostile, aggressive and inhospitable, wanting nothing to do with the press.
Looking at the turnout of patients, doctors, nurses at the Buea Regional Hospital, one could therefore conclude medical personnel in Buea completely detached themselves from the SYMEC strike.
Meantime in Limbe, some five doctors of the Limbe Regional Hospital did not show up for duty from Monday May 15 to Wednesday May 17, as explained by the hospital’s director, Dr. Nsame Denis.
“Five of the doctors who were supposed to be on duty since Monday have not reported for work. We all have grievances with the government but still, our patients need us. We took an oath to attend to and treat them. I had to consult some patients myself, because Monday is always a very busy day. However, I strongly believe that the issues raised by our union will be sorted as soon as possible. Our fingers are crossed.”
Speaking to on a pharmacist at the Limbe Regional Hospital, Dr. Catherine Tagne, she lamented on the situation: “Most of the doctors were absent on Monday and even on Tuesday. It was sad to see patients wait for long hours yet go back home unattended-to. However, the doctors were on strike so there was nothing they could do about it.”
Doctors of public hospitals in Cameroon in the course of their 3 day strike were demanding for a reform of the health system in the country. More specifically, they required the introduction of universal health insurance coverage. The trade unionists of the health sector are also demanding for salary increment for medics and the payment of state subsidies to private doctors in the form of premiums. The doctors are equally asking the government to increase the retirement age of doctors from 55 to 65.
Government’s reaction to their demand earned some of the strike leaders what many have considered as punitive transfers by the health boss, André Mama Fouda, a decision which has fueled more rage and flames in the medical sector.
According to its timeline, SYMEC plans to stage an indefinite strike action come July 17 in case its demands are not met by the government.