The Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dentists of Senegal (SAMES) has announced a 72-hour strike starting on Monday with healthcare services limited to emergency care.
Doctors across Senegal are due to take industrial action on Monday, September 28, Tuesday, September 29, and Wednesday, September 30, according to a decision by the National Executive Bureau (BEN) of SAMES following an extraordinary extended session.
The latest strike follows a 48-hour work stoppage held on September 23 and 24, during which the union said participation reached 99.64%.
SAMES said it had decided to launch the new strike because, in its view, no satisfactory response had been provided to its list of demands following discussions with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.
The union’s demands include the adoption of a special status for doctors, pharmacists and dentists, as well as issues related to recruitment conditions, career progression, allowances and retirement benefits.
SAMES is also calling for measures to strengthen medical, pharmaceutical and dental training, as well as improvements in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and human resources across the health sector.
During the three-day strike, the union said only emergency services would be maintained at the affected healthcare facilities.
TE/Sf/lb/as/APA