By Levy Masiteng
The Congress of SA Trade Unions and its medical affiliate, Samatu, marched on the government complex in Mbombela on Friday, demanding that unemployed doctors in the province get employed.
This follows numerous attempts by the union to raise the matter with the national Department of Health.
Cosatu provincial secretary Thabo Mokoena said that the protest was also aimed at highlighting other pressing issues including staff shortages, inadequate health infrastructure and rising crime rates in healthcare institutions .
The march was led by Dr Mandla Matshabe, Samatu’s provincial chairperson, who highlighted his frustration over the province and the country at large having a chronic problem, with over 1500 qualified doctors unemployed.
“Over 1500 qualified doctors remain unemployed post community service following governments lack of funds,” he said.
Matshabe said that he had been dealing with this issue for over two years, yet no progress was being made.
The protesters are calling on the department to make money available for healthcare workers.
“The government should make budget available for healthcare workers to employ them and pay them,” he said.
Matshabe said there were not enough doctors to service community members.
“Doctors are tired, doctors are burdened,” he said.
The union has given the government some time to respond to its demands.
“We give them two weeks to respond to our demands, or we close the province,” he warned.
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