Over 5,000 Senior Doctors Strike in New Zealand, Forcing Procedure Delays
More than 5,000 senior doctors and medical specialists across New Zealand launched a 24-hour strike on Thursday, protesting stalled contract negotiations, staffing shortages, and low wages in the public health system.
The walkout, described as unprecedented by local media, is scheduled to end at 11:59 p.m. local time. Organized by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, the strike marks a significant escalation in tensions between healthcare professionals and the government.
“This strike is about improving a system that’s no longer functioning well enough to care for patients,” the union said, stressing that current hospital conditions prevent doctors from delivering effective treatment.
Health New Zealand, the country’s main publicly funded healthcare provider, estimates that around 4,300 scheduled procedures will be postponed due to the strike.
“This action will unfortunately cause further delays for patients who’ve already waited a long time for treatment,” said Dr. Richard Sullivan, chief clinical officer for Health New Zealand. “It also impacts our broader efforts to improve access to timely care.”
The Ministry of Health has defended its position, but no agreement has yet been reached with the striking medical professionals.
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