Johnathan Paoli
Essential workers in the health sector, including doctors, dietitians and physiotherapists on Monday marched to the Union Buildings to demand that the government address unemployment in the health sector.
The SA Medical Trade Union (SAMTU) said on Monday that the protest action follows another strike in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month, in which over 80 unemployed medical doctors demonstrated outside the health department’s offices in KwaZulu-Natal.
The spokesperson for the cohort consisting of doctors and other medical practitioners Dzudzanani Marubini said the government needed to stop cutting corners and employ healthcare workers immediately.
“We started realising they’re not taking into consideration that we must be in the forefront of supplying the constitutional management of basic human rights,” Marubini said.
Previously, Health Minister Joe Phaahla noted the unemployment of hundreds of doctors across the country, highlighting the financial challenges facing the health sector.
There’s been concerns about large numbers of healthcare workers who have been trained but cannot find employment, Phaahla said.
The marchers are expected to converge on the corner of Madiba and Kgosi Mampuru streets in Pretoria Central from 8 am before proceeding to the Union Buildings.
Tshwane Metro Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said that several streets in the Pretoria CBD will be affected.
“Madiba Street, Thabo Sehume Street, Lilian Ngoyi Street, Sisulu Street, Steve Biko Street. Tshwane Metro Police Officers and the SAPS will be deployed to monitor the march and all affected streets. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes such as Struben Street, Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Francis Baard Street, and Stanza Bopape Street,” Mahamba said.
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