14 Sep 2005

Samoan doctors slam government's strike response

4:15 pm on 14 September 2005

The decision by Samoa's Cabinet to set up a commission of inquiry to look into grievances of striking doctors has been described by the president of the Samoa Medical Association as total arrogance.

Dr Mauinuuese Imo says the association is very sad and extremely disappointed with the government's response.

Dr Imo says a commission of inquiry isn't the answer to their problems.

Dr Imo told the Samoa Observer that government's move reflected its arrogance towards issues that the association has raised.

The government doctors walked off their jobs on Saturday.

They are calling for salary increases for beginning and long-serving doctors.

Some of the striking doctors were called in to assist emergencies of a life and death nature.

This happened in Savai'i in the case of a traffic accident over the weekend.