Gov't, doctors should cease fire

The Monitor Editor | Tuesday August 22, 2023 06:00

On one side, the DPSM and the Attorney General assert that the doctors’ strike is a no-go, slamming it as both unlawful and in violation of the Trade Disputes Act. Their argument doesn’t stop there – they’re underlining how the strike’s ripple effect impairs public interest by causing a ruckus in crucial health services. But, countering these punches, the BDU takes a stance that the strike is spot-on and backed by reason. They’re throwing back that doctors have been negotiating with the government in good faith, yet their pleas have been met with deaf ears.

Their case, they argue, is simple: the strike is their last resort in upholding patient health and safety, deeming the current call duty system unsustainable. This court decision could shake up Botswana’s labour scene in a significant way as a ruling against the strike might spell a tough line for the unions’ future action. But, if the court gives a thumbs-up to the strike, it could be a sign for the government to start taking the union’s worries seriously.

Beyond the legal tussle, there’s a whole bag of ethics the court has to sift through. While doctors must look after patients, they’ve also got a right to join forces and strike if they need to. Balancing these competing rights is the court’s main course of action come Wednesday. What’s a real pity is that the courtroom showdown is happening while there’s already a recognition agreement in place.

It’s high time issues such as this get a quick and sharp resolution; lives are on the line. We urge the two parties should sit down and talk it out like the court itself hinted at. The government rushed this case to court, so they should throw in that same energy to sit and hash things out.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen squabbles in the health sector – nurses and midwives have been at it too. We call on the government to give these issues a good ponder as the health system's teetering. It's high time we have motivated medical staff who feel their interests are well taken care of.