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Over 1,000 lives have been lost in Mozambique due to the unfortunate consequences of a health workers’ strike, as revealed by a union leader speaking to the Press.
The strike, initiated by 50,000 union members, commenced three weeks ago following the breakdown of negotiations concerning working conditions.
While doctors have not joined the strike, Anselmo Muchave, a prominent union leader, highlighted the distressing reality that many health facilities are operating without their services. According to Muchave, the majority of reported fatalities occurred in the provinces of Inhambane and Sofala, although the local Media has been unable to independently verify these figures.
Despite repeated accusations from the health ministry of exaggeration, voiced particularly against the Association of United Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM), Muchave maintains the severity of the situation. The ministry has yet to respond to the Media inquiries.
“We receive reports daily of lives lost,” Muchave emphasized, underscoring the critical shortage of medical personnel in facilities primarily staffed by non-doctor health workers.
Among the striking workers demanding overtime allowances and improved medical resources are nurses, psychologists, drivers, and cleaners. Muchave emphasized that these workers felt compelled to strike due to the intolerable conditions they faced, conditions which the government has thus far failed to address adequately.
“The situation is dire, with scant surgical supplies, insufficient food for patients, and a scarcity of petrol for ambulances. Uniforms for workers have not been provided for years. Change is imperative. In some maternity wards, women are forced to share beds, posing significant risks,” Muchave lamented.
Testimonies from citizens corroborate the dire situation. Sheila, a Maputo resident, recounted her grandmother’s ordeal, waiting hours for medical attention amid the strike. Such experiences underscore the suffering endured by patients due to the ongoing crisis.
Mozambique’s healthcare infrastructure faces significant challenges, with fewer than three doctors available per 100,000 people, ranking among the lowest doctor-to-population ratios globally. According to the US Agency for International Development (USAid), over half of Mozambicans must traverse long distances, often exceeding an hour, to reach the nearest health facility. Moreover, shortages of essential medicines further compound the healthcare system’s strain.
