Ziguinchor medical union announces 48-hour strike

The Autonomous Union of Physicians, Pharmacists, and Dental Surgeons (SAMES) in Ziguinchor has announced a 48-hour strike scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2026. The decision follows several weeks of truce during which health professionals waited for the new government to address pending files.

Secretary General Dr. Marc Manga stated that the silence from authorities indicates a lack of consideration for public and semi-public sector medical professionals. Key demands include the establishment of a special status for medical staff covering administrative, legal, and financial career dimensions.

Additional grievances involve the automatic recruitment of practitioners upon completion of training, raising the age of tenure to 40, and systematic advancement within the civil service. The union is also seeking a revision of indemnity regimes and an increase in retirement pensions to potentially reach 80% of net salary, alongside improvements to medical training and social protection for residents and interns.