At crisis meeting: Minister urges health workers to call off strike, work for solutions.

The member of government was speaking via videoconferencing on Monday May 29. This was during a meeting at the conference hall of the Ministry to seek solutions to concerns raised by workers of some health facilities in Yaounde. The health personnel have been on strike for over a week.

To note that the Minister was participating in the meeting from Geneva, Switzerland, where he is attending an international health conference.

Monday’s meeting brought together representatives of health workers’ syndicates, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance and senior officials of the Ministry of Public Health.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Prof Louis Richard Njock, chaired the meeting. The MINSANTE scribe told participants that the goal was to seek solutions to the concerns of the workers.

During the meeting, representatives of the workers recounted the concerns that have taken them to the streets. Even as the meeting went underway yesterday, some of the striking workers were singing and protesting in front of the Ministry of Public Health.

The President of the National Syndicate of Medical Workers, Balla Balla, said they don’t have a problem with the Ministry of Public Health but the state, given their concerns.

After listening to the syndicate head, Minister Manaouda indicated that the most pressing need is to address the contract of workers. The file, Manaouda said, will be handled in the days ahead.

The minister said health workers are needed to keep hospitals functional. He told them to always ensure to raise their concerns in a responsible manner so that the powers that be can address them.

“We are not at war, but rather partners, since we have the same objectives,” the minister is quoted to have said during the crisis meeting.

Dr Manaouda announced the holding meeting of a meeting in the days ahead at the Prime Minister’s Office to further address the concern. He said the meeting would be an opportunity to address the concerns and restore order.

To note that workers of the Yaounde Emergency Centre, CURY and those of the Jamot Hospital have been on strike since last week. The disgruntled staff are demanding among other things; better working condition, social welfare benefits, and integration into the public service and work contracts.