The Health Services Board (HSB) is likely to commence disciplinary hearings against doctors who ignored last Friday’s Labour Court ruling ordering them to return to work within 48 hours.

This followed revelations that the provision for arbitration in the ruling was based on the doctors’ return to work, which they defied.

Furthermore, striking doctors who spend more than 30 days without reporting for work were not paid October salaries.

Speaking from Harare Central Hospital where he was assessing the situation, including availability of medicines and equipment, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government was still open for dialogue and would want the striking doctors to return to work while negotiations continue.

“The arbitration process as of today, I have been advised by the Attorney-General that, because the doctors did not meet the deadline, they didn’t turn up for work, so that provision now falls away,” said Dr Moyo.State media