Senegal health professionals hold 72-hour strike amid negotiations

The Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists, and Dental Surgeons of Senegal (SAMES) has initiated a 72-hour nationwide strike that began on Monday, September 28, 2026. The strike is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, September 30.

During the strike, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene and SAMES held two days of consultations on September 28 and 29 to discuss the union's list of demands. Key issues under negotiation include salaries, allowances, career advancement, and working conditions. Discussions also addressed the status of contract workers, specialized training, and professional practice regulations for medical professionals.

To ensure progress, both parties agreed to consolidate all demands and commitments into a single reference matrix. This document will serve as a framework for monitoring the implementation of agreed-upon measures. The Ministry's General Secretariat, supported by the Human Resources Directorate, will coordinate the follow-up process with SAMES. While the dialogue aims to improve the social climate in the health sector, no definitive agreement has been announced yet.