Yesterday, a crucial gathering at the Miatta Conference Hall in the Youyi Building saw Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, addressing the nation about the escalating tensions between the government and the country’s doctors.

With ongoing strikes threatening the healthcare system, Dr. Demby aimed to reassure both healthcare professionals and the public of the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.

In his address, Dr. Demby pledged the Ministry of Health’s dedication, in collaboration with the government, to improving doctors’ working conditions. He promised the allocation of essential resources, including fuel and other critical supplies, to ensure healthcare workers have the tools necessary to perform their duties effectively. This, he noted, was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the health sector.

The strikes, which have disrupted hospital services, are a major concern for Dr. Demby, who warned that continued industrial action could lead to devastating consequences, including increased mortality rates due to delayed or unavailable medical care. He stressed the need for uninterrupted healthcare services to protect Sierra Leonean lives, urging doctors to consider the broader implications of their actions.

In a bid to ease tensions, Dr. Demby committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with the striking doctors. He emphasized his intention to work towards a peaceful resolution, addressing the doctors’ grievances while ensuring the healthcare system remains stable.

The strikes have come in response to long-standing demands for improved salaries and working conditions, as well as unmet promises from the government. Dr. Demby’s remarks are seen as a significant step toward bridging the gap between healthcare workers and the government, with hopes of preventing further disruptions to the public health system.