conduct
24 April 2009
The national Department of Health (DoH) notes the on-going illegal and
unprotected strike by some doctors with great concern.
The strike, having started on Thursday last week, has led to the disruption
of essential services in a number of hospitals, with death reports in the
North-West Province. The strike comes at a time when negotiations to resolve
the remuneration issues and general working conditions of doctors, dentists,
pharmacists and emergency care workers are already taking place in the
bargaining council. Doctors are represented in the bargaining council by their
recognised legitimate body, the South African Medical Association (SAMA).
As negotiations resume today, the department will be presenting a set of
proposals for consideration by labour representatives who will then go back to
their constituencies for further consideration and mandate. "We believe the
processes are going to be concluded as a matter of urgency. This will once more
demonstrate our commitment to work-place democratic processes of finding
challenges that confront our professionals", said health Minister Barbara Hogan
in announcing the negotiations last night.
Amid the on-going strike and threats of escalating it, the Department of
Health calls on the striking doctors and those intending to do so to explain to
the nation the following:
* Why are they deciding on this illegal course of action when there is a
negotiation process currently underway to resolve exactly the same issues that
they claim to be the cause of their strike?
* How do they justify abandoning patients and in the process exposing them to
extreme dangers?
In conclusion, the department would like to thank those doctors who are not
on strike for their patience, professionalism and commitment to their oath. We
call on them to allow the process of negotiation currently underway and assure
them of the speedy resolution of this matter. We would also like to thank those
private sector doctors who are volunteering their services and time to assist
in those hospitals that have been negatively affected by the strike.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
24 April 2009
