Healthcare workers march to Union Buildings over unemployment
Last month, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla noted the unemployment of hundreds of doctors across the country, highlighting the financial challenges facing the health sector.
The South African Medical Trade Union members marched to the Union Building over the high unemployment rate in the health sector on 26 February 2024. Picture: Screenshot
PRETORIA - Essential service providers draped in their scrubs bearing titles such as doctor, dietician, physiotherapist and nurse marched to the Union Buildings on Monday to demand the government address unemployment in the health sector.
The South African Medical Trade Union march comes on the backdrop of another protest in Pietermaritzburg this month, where over 80 unemployed doctors demonstrated at the health department's offices in KwaZulu-Natal over the same issue.
The cohort is made up mostly of doctors, some of whom are employed but sympathise with their unemployed colleagues.
Having revealed some of their demands contained in the memorandum, Dr Dzudzanani Marubini said the government needs to stop cutting corners and employ healthcare workers.
"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.”
Last month, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla noted the unemployment of hundreds of doctors across the country, highlighting the financial challenges facing the health sector.