“Careers are being ruined”: the Secretary General of SAMES denounces political appointments in healthcare

The Secretary General of the Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists, and Dentists of Senegal (SAMES) is raising the alarm about human resource management in the health sector. In an interview with Seneweb, Dr. Diabel Dramé denounced postings and appointments that he believes are often driven by political considerations at the expense of merit and experience. According to him, the difficulties facing the Senegalese health system are not limited to staff shortages or a lack of resources. They also stem from human resource governance, which, in his view, is in dire need of reform. "We may have the necessary equipment, infrastructure, and even human resources, but if governance is not rigorous, it will always be a problem," he stated.

The union leader deplores, in particular, reassignments that deprive certain hospitals, health centers, and clinics of their staff without any replacements being provided. This situation, he argues, further weakens the healthcare system in several areas of the country. But it is above all the issue of appointments to positions of responsibility that provokes his indignation. The Secretary General of SAMES believes that some choices do not meet objective criteria related to competence, seniority, or professional experience. "In the health sector, we can see staff with fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five years of service being overtaken by others who sometimes don't even have five years of experience," he lamented.

According to the union representative, these practices have a direct impact on the motivation of healthcare professionals and compromise the quality of healthcare governance. He therefore advocates for the implementation of a clear and transparent regulatory framework governing the appointments, assignments, and career advancement of healthcare workers.

When asked about priority measures to be implemented, the Secretary General of SAMES emphasized three urgent issues. The first concerns the adoption of more rigorous governance rules for human resources. The second focuses on increasing the compensation system for healthcare professionals. Finally, the third aims for a substantial improvement in retirement pensions for doctors, pharmacists, and dentists. According to him, current pensions remain largely insufficient given the responsibilities assumed throughout their careers, particularly due to the limited weight given to salary indices in their calculation.

While calling on doctors to continue their mission to serve the population, the union leader urged members of his profession to remain mobilized. He believes that several commitments made by the authorities are slow to materialize and does not rule out intensifying union actions if the sector's concerns continue to be ignored. In this interview with Seneweb, the Secretary General of SAMES thus places the issue of human resource governance at the heart of the reforms he deems essential for the sustainable recovery of the Senegalese healthcare system.