Pretoria - The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has warned doctors who have participated in illegal strike action that they may face suspension or be struck off from the doctors' roll if they do not return to work.
"Striking doctors are reminded that they provide an essential service, and as doctors need to conduct themselves in accordance with certain ethical and professional rules, failure of which could lead to suspension or even permanent erasure from the register," said HPCSA Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Advocate Boyce Mkhize.
He said the HPCSA will not tolerate neglect of patients by striking doctors who by their conduct, are in effect breaking the law.
"Those who continue acting in breach of ethical codes of conduct, the Hippocratic Oath as well as labour legislation which prohibits those engaged in essential services such as doctors from striking, will have to bear the consequences of their actions," Mr Mkhize said.
Consequently there would be no point in engaging in processes seeking to increase salaries and improve working conditions if doctors cease to be doctors due to them losing their license to practice altogether for participating in an illegal strike, warned Mr Mkhize.
On Monday, doctors from public hospitals picketed outside the King Edward VIII hospital in Durban demanding the immediate implementation of the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD).
However, doctors in Johannesburg Hospitals and the Eastern Cape have decided to call off the possible strike action to allow more time for negotiations at the bargaining council.
The HPCSA will be closely monitoring the strike action so that the strongest possible and urgent interventions are instituted to deal decisively with striking doctors in order to protect the vulnerable patients whose conditions might complicate as a result of doctors withholding their services.
Mr Mkhize said while the council understands doctors concerns, by participating in an illegal strike, they are putting patients' lives at risk emphasising that doctors need to conduct themselves in accordance with certain ethical and professional rules.
"Unfortunately, doctors provide an essential service and there is no last resort for emergencies except to keep on negotiating," Mr Mkhize said.
In instances where striking doctors have neglected patients resulting in complications or loss of life, the public can report along with the doctor's details to the HPCSA on (012) 338-9301 or email legalmed@hpcsa.co.za for further investigation.
