Khaberni - The National Health Service in Britain has warned that the country is facing an "unprecedented outbreak of influenza," as doctors prepare to strike for 5 days.
Health Minister Wes Streeting in an interview published by "The Times" on Friday called on resident doctors to cancel their strike.
He confirmed that the National Health Service, which is the public health service in Britain, is in "a very dangerous situation" and is facing "a challenge it has not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic."
Influenza cases have reached record levels for this time of year according to figures released by the authority on Thursday.
The number of cases increased by 55% within a week, with an average of 2660 patients being admitted to hospitals last week per day.
The National Health Service's medical director Megan Pande said, "With record demand for emergency services and ambulances, and an impending resident doctors’ strike, this unprecedented influenza outbreak has put the National Health Service in the worst possible situation during this part of the year."
The situation of the National Health Service, which is suffering from a deep crisis and arranging very long waiting times for appointments, represents a major political challenge for the Labor government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The planned strike on Wednesday would be the 14th strike by doctors since March 2023 if it occurs.
The resident doctors are in conflict with the government over salaries and training.
Wes Streeting called on doctors to "accept the government's offer." He agreed to the doctors' union's demand to prioritize training for British graduate doctors over applicants from abroad, in addition to increasing the number.
In response, the minister announced that the government "cannot and will not compromise on salaries, especially after an increase of 28.9% over the past three years, the largest increase in the entire public sector over the past two years."
The British Medical Association, which represents the resident doctors, is demanding an additional increase of 26%, considering it necessary after years of increases that did not keep up with inflation.
The association will present the government's new proposal to its members through an online survey ending Monday.
