As wrangling continues between government and Botswana Doctors Union (BDU), doctors have been urged to stand united and protect their rights and profession by working lesser emergency call hours. Emergency call refers to duties after normal working hours where doctors attend to patients who require medical attention after hours. The BDU yesterday issued a statement saying they are aware that some of their members are being threatened or coerced into working hours that fall outside the boundaries of what is lawful and acceptable under the Employment Act. The two parties are at logger heads as doctors feel they are not compensated enough for hours worked. “You may have been asked to justify why you are unwilling to carry out such unlawful demands. Let us be clear: no one is obligated to participate in or perpetuate illegality. As professionals, our duty is to uphold both medical ethics and the law,” they wrote. The union firmly asserts that the expectation for doctors to work beyond legally stipulated hours is unfounded, unlawful, and unreasonable.
They argue that doctors, like all employees, are bound only to follow lawful instructions those that a reasonable person would deem fair, safe, and legal. “The law is clear: doctors are not to exceed 48 working hours per week, except where voluntary overtime is agreed upon-capped at a maximum of 26.4 hours per month. This was effective 6th of April 2025, for the month of April till further notice. Those who already did their call beginning of April 2025, still fall into this category. Any demand beyond this is not only a violation of your rights but also a serious breach of the Employment Act,” they stated. They also emphasised that being designated as an essential worker does not mean surrendering their basic labour rights. They state it does not mean you are to be treated as expendable, or as someone whose well-being and time have no value. Rather, it recognises the critical role they play in society; one that must be respected and protected by all stakeholders, including employers. “We therefore call upon all doctors across the country to remain steadfast. Do not submit to unlawful instructions. Do not work beyond the hours permitted by law. Doing so only normalises exploitation and weakens the foundation of our profession. Let us stand firm, united, and informed. We fight not just for ourselves, but for the dignity of our profession and for the future of healthcare in Botswana in solidarity,” they concluded.
The latest statement follows an initial one on April 6 when BDU decided to embark on minimum service provision for emergency call across Botswana. BDU announced that they had on April 3, 2025 given government 72 hours to engage and finalise emergency call to ensure non-disruption of health service provision across the public healthcare fraternity. The employer party did not heed the call, engage or even respond, thus giving the impression of a none caring partner. BDU would as of April 7, 2025, in what they termed protecting its members against exploitation by the government of Botswana by the following: Doctors across local clinics and hospitals will do emergency call per month that will equate to 24 hours; Doctors to ensure minimum staff availability per hospital per call and where there is no coverage, the employer party will use the public-private-partnership at their discretion; No member doctor shall be allowed to do more work than stipulated; Doctors' overtime will not be applied to cover for emergency call needs; We expect that our members will not be harassed by other doctors in management across facilities; Any system issues arising from this shall be addressed by the employer party; Until there is a resolution of emergency call, we expect cooperation from our partner and understanding from the public. The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) would then respond to BDU’s call expressing concern. “BDU position would mean that patients who need doctors' attention after hours will not be attended to, which would comprise provision of health services by doctors causing threats to life. The government is deeply concerned about this position and remains committed to assisting healthcare professionals to guarantee that they can keep delivering medical care to the public beyond regular working hours,” acting chief public relations officer, Chandapiwa Maele, wrote. She said DPSM and the Ministries of Health and Local Government and Traditional Affairs proposed that the matter be referred to a formal negotiation structure with a view to reach an amicable solution, which BDU refused and rather proposed a wholly different structure. Maele said the formal negotiation structure comprises of public service unions and the employer party, which has been in place to facilitate labour relation matters, including the conditions of service.
Further, she said currently, doctors are compensated for working on call with 15% of their basic salary, which was negotiated through the above stated structure. “DPSM regards such statements to be calling upon doctors to act in contravention of the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act [CAP. 48:02], which BDU members, as Health Service providers, are classified as an essential service and are thus prohibited to take part in a strike or any action short of a strike,” she wrote. Additionally, DPSM referred BDU to the Industrial Court ruling of August 2023, which granted DPSM an interdict against the strike or industrial action, in the form of withdrawal of emergency service embarked on by BDU. The court held that BDU members, all medical and dental practioners are an essential service. In concluding, Maele said the DPSM and the Ministries of Health and Local Government and Traditional Affairs, wishes to assure all stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to ensuring continuous health services provision.
