On Wednesday 21 September, doctors and other medical staff took to the streets in Kinshasa to demand better working conditions. Although the demonstration had been authorised, the police violently suppressed the action.
Poor working conditions
Doctors at public hospitals have been on strike for months. They accuse the government of not keeping its promises, particularly with regard to increased wages, reduced workloads and guaranteed good pensions. The majority of doctors are joining the strike, but they are providing minimum services.
After months of strikes, doctors from the National Union of Doctors (SYNAMED) and the Free Union of Doctors (SYLMED) decided that the strike was not yielding enough results. They therefore took the initiative to hold a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday 21 September. This would allow them to express their dissatisfaction in a different way and push the government to improve working conditions in the sector.
Repression in Kinshasa
As the doctors marched from Avenue des Huileries towards the Boulevard, a confrontation took place with the Kinshasa police. The police stopped the demonstration and put an end to it. However, peaceful demonstrations are permitted and the organisers had obtained all the necessary permits for the event.
The doctors, determined to resist, defied the ban and continued their march. In response, The police reacted very violently. Some demonstrators were beaten, kicked, mistreated and injured.. Others were arrested and then released.
Problematic consequences
Doctors are outraged by the police action. They want to continue the strike through the «hospitals without doctors» movement. Even though the strike has a significant impact on the quality of care in public hospitals. Under normal circumstances, access to decent healthcare is already compromised for 90% of the population. It is therefore essential that the demands of the striking doctors are met. This will enable staff to continue working in good conditions and better guarantee the Congolese population's right to healthcare.
Viva Salud is working in the Congo to improve working conditions for healthcare personnel and expand access to quality public healthcare. We therefore fully support the actions and demands of healthcare workers.. Our two Congolese partners, Si Jeunesse Savait and Southern Star, met with representatives of SYNAMED, the doctors' union, in early October to discuss an action plan and join forces. Other health organisations are also invited to join the campaign, spread the word and reinforce the call on the government to respond to the doctors' demands.
