Recent events in the Kwilu health zone have been marked by a strike by administrators and non-physician health professionals. Areas affected include Kikwit North, Kikwit South, Idiofa, Bulungu, Vanga and Koshibanda. These professionals are demanding several measures and are on dry strike, which means that they are on complete stoppage of work.
The demands of these demonstrators revolve around different points. First, they demand payment of the additional premium, a premium that has been due to them for some time. Then, they claim the alignment of their risk premium on those of doctors, considering that they are also exposed to the same risks in the exercise of their functions. In addition, they want certain positions to be mechanized and grades to be regularized for better recognition of their work.
This strike is not new, it follows a protest movement initiated in 2021. At the time, the government had promised negotiations with the union bench to study their demands. However, these negotiations did not succeed, which led health professionals to resume their strike.
Previously signed agreements aimed to address issues raised by protesters. They included the admission of new units under status, the mechanization of doctors, the notification of the 2019 decrees, the alignment of doctors with the professional risk premium, as well as the reactivation of immune sections, housing and transport.
For the moment, the non-medical health professionals are maintaining their strike movement and have said that they will only return to work if the government respects its commitments and keeps its promises. They hope that their demands will be heard and that concrete measures will be taken to improve their working conditions.
In conclusion, the strike by administrators and non-physician health professionals in the Kwilu health zone is a testimony to the dissatisfaction with unsatisfactory working conditions. The demands relate to issues of compensation and professional recognition. It is essential that the government takes action to address these concerns and ensure dignified working conditions for these professionals who play an essential role in the health system