Pristina - Some 7,100 medical workers in Kosovo extended their strike on Tuesday, saying it would continue until their demand for better pay is met.

The union representing the interest of doctors, nurses and other personnel on Monday launched what they initially said would be a 24- hour strike. Only emergency cases are handled during the stoppage.

The strikers are demanding a 50-per cent wage increase and a defined policy of health insurance - Kosovo yet has no law on health insurance and even medical workers have no coverage for medical interventions.

The government has so far only offered a one-off payment totalling 132 euros (180 dollars) over three months. Health Minister Alush Gashi has not commented yet about the strike.

Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia eight months ago, is plagued by poverty and corruption, also affecting the decrepit health sector.

The average Kosovo monthly wage is 220 euros and doctors are paid only slightly better, 250 euros. As a result, many of them only keep their jobs in state hospitals in order to direct as many patients as possible to see them in the hundreds of better-equipped private clinics. (dpa)