PRESIDENT of Solomon Islands Medical Association (SIMA) Dr Claude Posala confirmed to the Solomon Star that the strike plan by SIMA has been withdrawn last Friday.
He said the step to withdraw the proposed strike action by doctors came about after SIMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Public Service (MPS).
“The document contains a specific time frame of four months with the outcome of a revised scheme of service for doctors by December,” he explained.
“So by December we will finalise the scheme and hoping to implement it into the 2018 budget by then.
“So strike has been withdrawn as of Friday at 1.00pm when both parties signed the MOU,” he added.
He revealed that the timeframe will lapse on 20th December this year.
Failure to uphold the MOU will result in the strike notice re-lodged.
Dr Posala’s clarification came as a relief for many people, especially the sick patients who rely on doctors.
Late last month SIMA issued a strike notice to the MPS in response to their long overdue scheme of service.
The strike notice has raise concerns among citizens and leaders of the country who called on the responsible authorities to address the issue.
SIMA strike notice ended on Friday but government quickly stepped in to sort out the matter with our doctors.
By AATAI JOHN
