Dakar, Apr 22 (APS) – The daily newspapers focused on the strike of health workers for their edition this Friday.
Several health worker unions observed a “general strike” on Thursday in protest against the arrest of four midwives at the Amadou-Sakhir-Mbaye hospital in Louga (north).
The midwives were arrested for their alleged responsibility in the death in childbirth of Astou Sokhna, who had been admitted to the maternity ward of this public health establishment after nine months of pregnancy.
“Black Thursday in hospitals”, notes Sud Quotidien.
“The health workers paralyze the hospital receptive, a day without care (…) Only the emergencies insured, the patients in all their states”, he writes.
The ordeal of users of health services is likely to continue, according to Liberation.
”After several patients were turned away from hospitals and other public health structures, yesterday, it is the turn of private pharmacists to enter the dance this morning”, we read in the same newspaper.
”From Dakar to Tambacounda, from Kolda to Saint-Louis via Kaolack, Kaffrine, Koungheul, Diourbel, Ziguinchor and other cities, the health system has been paralyzed”, notes Kritik’.
This newspaper affirms that “it is difficult to put a face to those who fight exclusively for quality health care and adequate reception of the sick”, among “the flowering of unions” at the origin of this strike.
The Daily Witness evokes the “red anger” of users of health services.
”The only worthwhile fight is the one [qui consiste à] to look at the bedside of our health system, so that tragedies similar to that which occurred at the Amadou-Sakhir-Mbaye hospital (…) do not happen again”, he advises.
Bés Bi Le Jour is of the opinion that ”we must not fall into denigration and systematic amalgamation of caregivers”.
”The solution lies in opening, not in closing. Health complexity calls for composure at all levels,” he adds.
Le Quotidien denounces the “corporatism” because of which workers, including those in the health sector, systematically reject the faults committed by their colleagues. ”Our country is walking on the crest (…) Corporatism has become a shield for those who want to escape justice”, he comments.
”The death of Astou Sokhna (…) will certainly have even more serious consequences (…) Sometimes, the minimum service is not even guaranteed” in health establishments, writes L’Observateur.
”It smacks of food riots”
The daily newspapers also relay the maneuvers of the political parties with a view to the legislative elections on 31st July next.
We learn from L’info that the former President of the Republic, Abdoulaye Wade, has set up a national campaign board comprising departmental council presidents, serving deputies, members of his party’s national secretariat and other people.
InQuest was interested in the ”calculations” of Macky Sall, concerning the next legislative election. ”It’s a firm maneuver in the entourage of the President of the Republic, Macky Sall, towards the legislative elections”, says the newspaper.
“Mafia Kacc Kacc, anarchy or revolution?” wonders L’As, about this movement born, according to him, from social networks and very critical of Macky Sall and his majority.
”If some find the initiative (the creation of the Mafia Kacc Kacc) salutary, others think that it is a space of lawlessness which can lead to excesses,” adds L’As.
The Vox Populi newspaper is concerned about the extent of rumours, slander and defamation on social media. ”For each generation, there are new behaviors (…) The Internet being added to all this, one has the impression that (…) it is a disaster”, analyzes a psychosociologist questioned on this subject by the log.
WalfQuotidien plays Cassandre. “It smacks of food riots”, he titled, adding: “It is not to be in catastrophism to remember that the images we are living at the moment and the words we hear are reminiscent, with a few nuances, of the 2008 crisis.
He alludes to the many economic difficulties of 2008, which resemble, in his opinion, the recurring shortages of staple foods in the current year.
Concerning the shortage of fuel, Le Soleil announces the arrival in Dakar of two boats responsible for supplying the country.
“Motorists can rest easy. Senegal has enough fuel to cover the demand,” writes the newspaper on the basis of assurances given by the Minister of Petroleum, Sophie Gladima.