Some of Zimbabwe's striking junior hospital doctors were back at work on Tuesday as their representatives pursued discussions with government authorities, mitigating the impact of a two-week strike that crippled state hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo.
Some 350 hospital residents had been withholding their services over pay and poor working conditions at Harare Hospital and Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, and Mpilo Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals in the country's second-largest city.
Sources said nurses were still off the job, many citing a lack of funds for transport.
Authorities have adopted a more conciliatory stance in dispute. Health Minister David Parirenyatwa told the state-controlled Sunday Mail newspaper that the government is “always looking at ways of improving the conditions of service of all health workers.”
Hospital Doctors Association President Amon Siveregi told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that his group has opened promising negotiations with relevant government officials.