Union reports hundreds of patient deaths during Mozambique health workers strike

Access to health care in Mozambique is severely limited, as reported by a union leader to the BBC. More than 1,000 people have died due to a lack of care amid a health workers’ strike that began three weeks ago. While doctors are not on strike, many health facilities do not employ them, leading to dire consequences in provinces like Inhambane and Sofala.

The strike, carried out by 50,000 union members, was initiated after negotiations over working conditions collapsed. The Association of United Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM) has been advocating for better overtime allowances and improved medical equipment for nurses, psychologists, drivers, and cleaners. The strike has exacerbated already challenging conditions in health facilities across the country.

Union leader Anselmo Muchave highlighted the concerning lack of surgical material, food for patients, and fuel for ambulances, along with the long-standing issue of workers not receiving uniforms for years. The strike has shed light on the dangerous overcrowding in maternity wards, where women are forced to share beds due to limited resources.

Patients in Mozambique are suffering as a result of the strike, with reports of delays in receiving medical attention and shortages of essential supplies. Health infrastructure in the country is already limited, with fewer than three doctors per 100,000 people. The US Agency for International Development (USAid) reports that more than half of Mozambicans have to walk an hour or more to reach the nearest health facility, with frequent stockouts of essential medicines.

The Ministry of Health has not responded to requests for comment on the strike and its impact on health services in Mozambique. The situation is dire, with lives at risk due to the ongoing strike and the broader challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.