Doctors' Union Marches to Demand Employment

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The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) marched to the Provincial Legislature on January 17 to address unemployment among doctors and the declining state of healthcare in Mpumalanga.

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Samatu’s key demands include:

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• The immediate employment of all qualified and registered medical practitioners currently unemployed within two weeks.
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• Re-employment of 389 contract workers whose contracts expire on March 31.
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• Absorption of all bursary holders in healthcare fields into public health institutions.
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Dr. Nhlanhla Valerio, speaking at the march, expressed the union’s frustration: “We are gathered here today to express our anger and frustrations as healthcare workers in Mpumalanga, united against the worst and horrible conditions of the healthcare system.”

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A memorandum of demands was handed over to acting premier Speed Mashilo and MEC for health Sasekani Manzini. Samatu has requested a written response by January 27.

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The march highlights growing concerns about the strained healthcare system in the province and the need for urgent intervention.

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