Following calls and a court order forcing striking health workers to return to work, a majority of those who previously participated in a strike are back at work.
The department has conducted a situational analysis and found that:
* Most of the eThekwini Hospitals, previously reported to be largely affected by the strike, are returning back to normality. At King Edward VIII, RK Khan, Wentworth, King George V, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central, Addington, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospitals the current attendance is between 60 and 85%, between today and yesterday. In the rest of the district the attendance is 100% and all services are being offered. There were 203 healthcare workers issued with dismissal letters in this district.
* In Umgungundlovu District the attendance is around 80 to 100% with Greys and Edendale Hospitals showing a 75 and 80% attendance (respectively). In the rest of the District all services are operational with 100% attendance. Five healthcare workers were issued with dismissal letters.
* In the rest of the districts all services are operational. The remainder of those issued with dismissal letters is from Zululand (11), Ugu (20), Umzinyathi (two), and Sisonke (three). This makes the total number of healthcare workers issued with dismissal letters to be 244.
Many people have taken leave hence the relative shortages in many instances; others are on courses to uplift their skills. The department wishes to call on those who have legitimate claims to prove that they have been working and were erroneously put on the absent lists and thus received letters of dismissal to come forward.
The department further thanks the tireless effort put in by the nursing personnel and many medical officers who were assisted by the South African National Defence Force Health Services to keep the health services available to those in need of care.
"I would like to dispel the notion that is peddled by certain in the media which suggest that we are targeting medical officers and interns in particular. It is also said that we are "chasing away South Africans in favour of foreign doctors". There is no such, we acted against a group of healthcare workers who have defied our calls as well as the Labour court order.
"While doctors may have reasons to disrespect the government of President Zuma, we feel they still need to have respect and care for our patients. Some of us qualified as doctors during apartheid. We differed with government's point of view but we never went on strike, remained and looked after our patients.
"To our patients and society, we shall do everything in our power to accelerate the process of normalisation of the situation and we shall ask for your patience, support and understanding" says the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
For more information contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health
1 July 2009
Source: Department of Health (http://www.kznhealth.gov.za)
