Sierra Leone: In solidarity with Dr Catherine Jackson-Cole, the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA), on Wednesday 14th April 2021 unanimously agreed to withhold their service till a response is made to their genuine concerns.
This was communicated through a press release signed by both the President and the General Secretary, Dr Delwin M. Findlay and Dr Samba Jalloh respectively, strongly condemning the action by senior officials of the Health Ministry.
According to the release, SLMDA however assured members of the public that despite their decision to withhold their services, skeletal staff would be around to ensure that they attend to emergency/critical cases during the period of their strike action.
“Unfortunately, intimidation of doctors by key officials of the Ministry of Health is not new,” the release stated, citing cases of doing wrong or inappropriate postings, diverting opportunities, writing threatening letters to doctors that are demanding a well-structured and efficient healthcare system in the country.
The release furthered that despite low motivation for their extra work, slow progress in post graduate trainings, several welfare issues, unhealthy working environment and poor structured and inefficient health care system, doctors are working day and night more than the required time for a civil servant to ensure maximum healthcare delivery to the people.
SLMDA maintained they are withholding their services until there is adequate justice for their colleague together with public apology, a committee is set up to investigate the issues and report to SLMDA followed by disciplinary actions, assuring they will not accept any form of victimization against their colleague as any attempt of such will attract grave consequences.
AMK/15/04/2021