Day 3 of strike: Yaounde Central Hospital at a standstill

Medical and health personnel in public hospitals have been on strike since Monday, June 1, 2015 after a directive was issued by the National Union of health and medical personnel (Synpems) and the National Union of institutions / companies in the Cameroon health sector (Cap / Health).

The medical and health personnel launched the indefinite strike to express their grievances towards salary distribution and other allowances, reclassification of health personnel, taking care of sick health workers and their families, the upgrading of their wages since the 5% increment decided by the Head of State, payment of salary arrears, pension rights, and the retirement age among other claims.

"The strike that started on Monday was scheduled to start in April 2014 but negotiators asked us to postpone it which we did. They convinced us not to strike on May 11th thinking that our concerns will be addressed but nothing so far. We decided to launch the strike on Monday," said Balla Balla, the President of Synpems.

At the hospital, the OPD, offices and consultation rooms are almost empty. Patients are left to themselves as some patients tried in vain to be consulted from Monday without success.

Located in the heart of the capital, Yaounde Central Hospital is the most populated health institution in the city which receives between 1,500 and 2,000 patients a day.