Doctors? Salaries Held Up at National Government Since Last Year

New Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, undertook to discuss doctors' Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) as a matter of urgency with the National Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi. He also requested Premier Helen Zille to take up the matter at the Presidential Coordinating Council.

Botha explained that the doctors' salary adaptations have been approved last year already, but that National Government has failed to implement the changes. "It's a frustrating situation."

"I can give the assurance that our systems are ready to roll out the adapted salaries, referred to as Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD), as soon as we receive the money. Nurses' OSD were rolled out in July 2007. It's the doctors that are now biting the bullet."

Botha called on state doctors who will participate in the protest tomorrow, to maintain their professionalism and responsibility as medical practitioners.

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Issued by the Western Cape Ministry of Health.

Contact:
Héléne Rossouw
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