Health crisis in Ziguinchor: SAMES goes on strike and demands emergency reforms

Meeting at a press conference this Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists, and Dentists of Senegal (SAMES), Ziguinchor branch, denounced the lack of concrete responses from the government despite several years of negotiations. The local branch's secretary general, Dr. Marc Manga, confirmed a 48-hour strike to demand urgent solutions to the health crisis.

In a firm statement, Dr. Marc Manga reiterated that the medical community had demonstrated responsibility and patience, clarifying that this stance should not be interpreted as weakness. "We prioritized dialogue, we gave the authorities time, but the continued silence demonstrates a lack of consideration for professionals who constitute an essential pillar of our healthcare system," he stated to the media.

The union is demanding the development of a special status for medical professionals, including mandatory recruitment of recent graduates, permanent positions until age 40, automatic promotions, and a retirement pension increased to 80% of their final net salary. "It is unacceptable that careers are blocked and that qualified professionals are kept in precarious situations," Dr. Manga emphasized.

Demands focused on infrastructure and governance

The statement also highlights the urgent need for transparent human resources management, with priority given to integrating contract workers deployed in challenging areas and clarifying career paths. On the academic front, SAMES calls for a complete overhaul of medical and specialized training, guaranteeing clear rights, effective social protection, and coherent career prospects.

Regarding infrastructure, the union is calling for an accelerated reform of the healthcare map, demanding that each region be equipped with scanners and MRI machines, suitable ambulances, and functional laboratories. "How can we talk about quality of care when hospitals lack basic equipment and patients have to travel hundreds of kilometers to get a diagnosis?" asked the general secretary.

At the local level, several urgent issues were raised: the rehabilitation of the Peace Hospital, the allocation of a special grant to settle its debt, the effective commissioning of the regional MRI unit, and the construction of the Bignona health center. The union also condemned the attempt to eliminate accrued bonuses, pointing to a circular from the Ministry of Health dated August 19, 2026.

“Defending the working conditions of doctors means defending the quality of care offered to the population and territorial equity,” insisted Dr. Marc Manga, describing this fight as a demand for dignity and justice.

Confirmed for September 8th and 9th, 2026, this strike is intended as an act of union responsibility. The local leader concluded by calling on activists to unite: “We remain committed to the public health service, but we refuse indifference. We remain responsible, but we will be determined.”