As per reports, over 20,000 healthcare professionals are set to participate in a planned strike, commencing at 0700 hours (local time) on Thursday (04 January) until the same time on Tuesday (09 January). The strike is driven by the pursuit of a 35 percent pay raise and is expected to impact over 110,000 medical consultations, treatments, and operations during what is considered one of the busiest weeks of the year.

The decision follows a recent strike that ended on 23 December, and amidst concerns over the high number of patients in hospitals with COVID-19, flu, and norovirus exceeding 5,000.