Ugandan doctors call off resumption of strike over low pay

KAMPALA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Doctors working in public health facilities in Uganda have called off their planned resumption to strike over low pay, a top official said Saturday.

Ekwaro Obuku, president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), told Xinhua by telephone that following the government's commitment to increase their salaries and respond to their issues, the association executives on Friday voted to suspend the nationwide strike set to resume on Saturday.

The government on Monday announced plans to increase the salaries of all public servants in the East African country.

"We have opted to suspend the resumption of the industrial action following the constructive progress and commitment made by government to address our issues," said Obuku.

During their UMA extra-ordinary meeting held in the capital Kampala on Nov. 26, the doctors voted to suspend their strike for three weeks and resume it on Dec. 16 if the government did not keep its promise to increase their salaries and improve the working conditions in public hospitals.

The government announcement to increase the salaries has seen nurses and midwives as well as judicial officers suspending their strikes.

The doctors' nationwide strike paralyzed operations in public hospitals and other health facilities, leaving many patients stranded. Enditem