doctorsâ salaries
21 April 2009
Government is currently engaged in a process to dramatically improve the
working conditions of all healthcare professionals working in the public
service particularly as it relates to remuneration, career pathing and other
issues.
Government has already implemented vastly improved dispensation for nurses.
However, during the process we encountered many problems. These includes some
nurses who has being over paid, resulting in them having to pay back the extra
money.
In order to avoid these kinds of problems, we have spent a lot of time to
ensure accurate and correct decisions as we address the doctors and other
categories of healthcare professionals who stand in line to benefit from these
improved conditions.
These professionals are not only doctors but include emergency service
workers, pharmacists as well as dentists. We understand the frustration caused
by the delays in the implementation of this dispensation and for that reason
have been working non-stop to ensure that we have an amicable resolution. We
are happy to say that we can on Friday place this set of proposals before the
bargaining council.
We are concerned about doctors who have felt it necessary to go out on
strike as their services are part of the essential services of this country.
The strike can potentially be detrimental to the public and patients rely on
the public health services. We would like to caution those doctors for placing
themselves in a position where they participate in an unprotected strike. We
would therefore like to appeal to them to get back to work because we are now
in a position to reach an amicable resolution to this matter.
All of us subscribe to the dictum that the health of all people visiting our
health facilities is paramount. That is why we would like to see the situation
at our facilities get back to normal.
We have been informed that there have been one or two incidents where
drastic action has been taken against striking doctors. Steps are in place to
seek a satisfactory alternative to redress the situation. Any instance where a
patient has been adversely affected by the actions of professional healthcare
workers who took part in an unprotected strike will be thoroughly investigated
by the professional healthcare association.
We wish to thank the majority of doctors who have remained at their posts;
continuing to save lives and tend to the sick. We thank them for their
co-operation and their understanding. Government greatly values healthcare
professionals and their dedication is highly appreciated. We know that they
work long hours sometimes under very difficult circumstances and we wish to
thank them for that.
Once more we reiterate our commitment to giving the fullest possible
recognition, support and remuneration to the health professionals working in
the South African public health service.
For more information contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
21 April 2009
