No strike action by public service medical doctors

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pretoria - Medical doctors affiliated to the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and employed in public health facilities are not planning to go on strike.

Department of Health spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said the process was currently underway in the relevant bargaining structures after SAMA re-committed to the negotiation process around the Occupation Specific Dispensation as it relates to doctors.

Once a consensus is reached a decision will be taken on the model suitable for the profession.

Mr Hadebe said the department was fully aware of the working conditions facing public service medical doctors and remained confident that through dialogue these conditions would improve.

"The department shares the sentiments of SAMA on putting the interests of patients first in line with the National Health Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

"Members of the public are advised that they should not expect any service delivery disruptions in public health facilities due to strike action and are assured of access to quality health care in all our facilities," Mr Hadebe said.