SAMES plans 48-hour strike on September 8 and 9

The Autonomous Union of Doctors of Senegal (SAMES) has announced a total 48-hour strike scheduled for September 8 and 9. The action is presented as a response to the lack of follow-up, according to the union, on its list of demands submitted in 2023.

SAMES Secretary-General Dr Diabel Dramé said the organisation was entering a phase of trade union action. According to him, discussions opened in 2023 with the authorities at the time came to a halt during the first quarter of 2024. The union said it subsequently made several follow-up requests without receiving a response it considered satisfactory.

Emergency and minimum services announced

During the two-day strike, SAMES said emergency care and minimum services would be maintained. Doctors, pharmacists and dental surgeons have been called on to wear red armbands.

An extraordinary meeting of the national executive committee is scheduled for Tuesday. Awareness-raising general assemblies and local press briefings are due to begin on Wednesday. The union also plans to assess the action on September 10.

Special status among demands

SAMES is calling in particular for the adoption of a special status for doctors, pharmacists and dental surgeons. It is also demanding the compulsory recruitment of practitioners intended for the public sector, an increase in the tenure age to 40, and automatic career advancement in the civil service.

The list of demands also includes a retirement pension set at 80% of the final salary, the priority integration of contract workers assigned to difficult areas and recognition of their years under contract. The union is calling for clarification of career plans.

Equipment and previous agreements

On the organisation of healthcare provision, SAMES is advocating the creation of a level-2 public health establishment in every department. It is also calling for CT scanners and MRI machines in all regions, suitable ambulances, operational laboratories and a hospital maintenance network.

Finally, the union is demanding the full implementation of the 2022 agreements, the extension of allowances to all doctors in the public and parapublic sectors, and settlement of outstanding amounts owed to beneficiaries.