28 APRIL, 2009

NEHAWU welcomes the decision by the department of health to table a proposal on Medical Officers and Related Health Professionals’ Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) for negotiations.

We are however disturbed by the slow pace from the government in trying to resolve and finalise OSDs that are still outstanding. The government should learn that demoralized and aggrieved workforce cannot be expected to deliver quality service to the public.

The union calls upon all the doctors who are currently embarking on a strike to give the negotiations a chance and immediately return to work. The union salutes these selfless and dedicated workers who dedicate their lives to deliver healthcare to the poor and the working class.

The department of health has to take full responsibility for everything that is happening and the union is surprised that the department always blames the shortage of skills for poor services in hospitals yet it is not creating conducive working environment for its workers.

South Africa is losing some of its dedicated health workers due to the failure by the department to provide safe and conducive environment and we are deeply worried that it is the poor and the working class who are suffering as the result of this emigration.

This loss of experienced and qualified professionals is not helping the situation in the country as it puts more strain on the already overburdened and under resourced health system.

We are also disturbed by the reports that the department has dismissed some doctors who were on strike and therefore appeal to the department to withdraw the dismissals and give negotiations a chance.

Issued by NEHAWU Communications Department

For further information, please contact Sizwe Pamla (NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer) at 011 833 2902 or 082 558 5962 email: sizwep@nehawu.org.za

Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za