Dear gov't, doctors: Ntwakgolo ke ya molomo

The Monitor Editor | Wednesday April 23, 2025 15:41

With both sides entrenched in legal battles and public spats, the risk to public health, trust in institutions, and the welfare of doctors grows by the day. It's time for cooler heads to prevail. The government and BDU must return to the negotiating table, not with threats, but with a shared commitment to resolve this crisis fairly and urgently.

At the heart of this dispute lies a simple truth: doctors aren't just employees but guardians of public health. Their demand for fair working conditions, including reasonable emergency call hours, isn't unreasonable. Yet the government’s insistence that emergency duties are non-negotiable, citing a 2023 court ruling, ignores the need for flexibility in addressing genuine grievances. The BDU rightly points out that doctors are complying with existing laws and court orders; they aren't on strike. Framing their resistance as “illegal” only deepens mistrust.

Equally troubling are the union’s allegations of exclusion from the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC), the very forum the government claims should resolve disputes. If the PSBC is dysfunctional or sidelining the BDU, as alleged, it undermines the fairness of the process. How can negotiations succeed if one party feels unheard? The government must address these concerns transparently. Empty promises to “negotiate” ring hollow when doctors feel their voices are stifled.

There are no winners here. Prolonging this conflict risks harming patients, demoralising healthcare workers, and damaging Botswana’s reputation for stability. The government can't afford to dismiss doctors’ concerns as mere defiance.

The government should publicly reaffirm its commitment to honouring past agreements, including the April 2023 collective bargaining deal it allegedly abandoned. The BDU, in turn, must avoid inflammatory language and reaffirm its dedication to emergency care.

If the PSBC is ineffective, revive it with clear rules that include the BDU. Independent mediators could break the deadlock, ensuring talks are fair and solution-focused.

There is a need to address workloads transparently. How many emergency calls are doctors handling? Are current shifts sustainable? Let data, not disputes, guide decisions.

Botswana’s doctors have endured years of negotiation failures. They deserve better than being labelled “delusional” for demanding fairness. The government, meanwhile, must balance its duty to safeguard public health with respecting labour rights.

This isn't just a legal battle, it is a test of Botswana’s values. Both sides must act with urgency, humility, and respect. The nation’s health depends on it.