Cabinet has expressed concern about the plight of patients affected by the industrial action by health professionals. It wishes to assure the public that everything possible is being done to address the situation.
The executive council is fully appreciative of the issues raised by the doctors, and re-affirms its commitment to building trust and restoring a good working relationship with them. It has appealed to the doctors to return to their duties, noting, however, that government had been placed in a difficult situation as the strike was unprotected legally.
Cabinet has appealed to retired health professionals and other volunteers to come forward and lend a helping hand while the matter receives urgent attention.
An emergency meeting was held between the Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Dean and senior consultants at the Nelson Mandela Medical School, University of KwaZulu-Natal in an effort to seek a resolution.
This meeting was very fruitful and assisted to provide the way forward and to pave the way towards to addressing some of the concerns of the staff. Meanwhile, Cabinet has asked senior management of the Department of Health led by MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to provide a full progress report regarding the process of resolving the industrial action by the clinicians. The meeting will take place next week.
The executive council at this meeting also welcomed the delegates to the 24th Quadrennial International Congress of Nurses (ICN) to be held in Durban on 27 June to 4 July 2009. The ICN is a non-governmental federation of national nurse's associations from over 132 countries. This is the first time the congress has been held in Africa.
“The hosting of this conference in our city confirms once more that KwaZulu-Natal is not only ready to host international functions, but also the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup,” Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize said.
Cabinet has noted a report from a task team trying to resolve the Warwick Avenue Market impasse in Durban. Report indicated progress in the discussions. “It has become clear that tensions have been lessened. Inclusive consultative process will help stabilise the situation. All stakeholders are awaiting the decision of the High Court on Friday,” the Premier pointed out.
At the same meeting, MEC Bheki Cele briefed the Cabinet on the on-going violence in the Umvoti area. While it was re-assuring that suspects had been apprehended, it was of grave concern that the area remained on the boil. Premier Mkhize, also in his capacity as chairman of the ANC in the province, has undertaken to bring the leadership of the IFP on board in an attempt to resolve the issue.
“The number of people dying is completely unacceptable, that is why we want to tackle the issues bi-laterally with the leadership of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the Legislature,” Dr Mkhize said.
Cabinet was informed that the Department of Transport would appeal the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling this week that MEC Bheki Cele be held 70% liable for a bus accident in 2005 that left an Australian couple with disabilities. They lodged a claim for R30 million, alleging the department had failed to maintain the road adequately.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has extended condolences to the family of Mr Khulani Mkhize, former Chief Executive Officer of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife who passed away last night.
MEC Lydia Johnson has been appointed chairperson of the Provincial Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Line function MEC’s will be available to the media to elaborate on these issues.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
25 June 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
