UK medical specialists start two-day strike

Some 24,000 specialist doctors in the UK have launched a two-day strike over their disagreement with the government over pay increases.

Specialist doctors affiliated with the British Medical Association (BMA) began a two-day strike and walked off work at 07:00 local time.

The BMA statement said the government’s 6 percent increase offer for this year, on top of last year’s 4.5 percent increase, was rejected.

The statement states that this increase was made “in a tone of mockery.”

Noting that approximately 24,000 health workers have been receiving a raise below the inflation rate for years, it was stated that a 35 percent raise was required to close this gap.

NHS Director Vin Diwakar, who is critical of the doctors’ strike, said even routine treatment, appointments and care will be affected by the strike decision.

The specialist doctors who went on strike last month announced that they would do so on September 19 and 20 of next month. (AA)