Hospitals may close for three days, and union raises death toll to over a thousand

Mozambique's national health system could face a complete shutdown in the coming days. The Association of United and Solidarity Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUM) announced, at a press conference held in Maputo, that the country's hospital units could be closed for three consecutive days, starting this Friday. This radical measure aims to pressure the government to recognize the ongoing strike and exacerbates tensions in a sector that has already recorded more than a thousand deaths associated with lack of assistance since the beginning of the year.

The announcement was made by the president of APSUM, Anselmo Muchave, who accused the Executive branch of practicing "institutional dishonesty" by denying the existence of the strike. According to Muchave, the government's stance is an attempt to create a narrative of normality that does not reflect the reality of the health units. "Minimizing the impacts of the strike and demanding proof of a crisis that is visible constitutes a disrespect to the professionals and the population that depends on public services," he stated.

The reaction comes in the wake of statements by the National Director of Medical Assistance, Nelson Mucopo, who questioned the effectiveness of the strike—announced and subsequently extended for 30 days—claiming that employees continued to show up for work. Mucopo also rejected the figures presented by the association, which initially pointed to 725 deaths allegedly associated with the lack of assistance since the beginning of the strike in January. This week, APSUM updated the tally to 1,116 deaths, a figure that intensifies the seriousness of the impasse and raises public concern.

Muchave argues that recognizing the scale of the problem does not mean attacking the State, but rather assuming responsibility and facing the crisis with transparency. "Denying the collapse of the system does not contribute to the solution," he stressed, advocating for the urgency of structural reforms and the opening of a dialogue oriented towards concrete results. Despite the hardening of his rhetoric, he assured that talks with the Government are ongoing, although he considers the way the process has been conducted insufficient.

In a firm tone, Muchave announced that, faced with what he describes as governmental inaction, professionals will "give a long weekend" nationwide, closing health units for three days. The stoppage occurs within the context of the second phase of the strike called "crossed arms," ​​and the association holds the Ministry of Health responsible for the worsening crisis, insisting that the system is facing an evident collapse.

The union leader also appealed for the intervention of the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, questioning the Head of State's position regarding reports that he considers divergent from the reality experienced in hospitals. While negotiations continue, apprehension is growing among citizens, who fear that the eventual closure of hospitals will further deepen the crisis in access to healthcare in the country.