The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has written to MEC for Health Phophi Ramathuba to investigate allegations of large deductions on the salaries of approximately 15 doctors at Dikolong Hospital in Driekop, Burgersfort.
The doctors claim they received deductions of between R15 000 – R 20 000 when their salaries were paid this month because they had embarked on a go slow/sit in until important medical equipment that was not operational had been repaired.
The doctors reported for work daily, signed the work attendance register and then would carry out a go slow because important operating theatre medical equipment they needed in the performance of their duties had not been repaired despite numerous requests to that effect. The doctors would still attend to maternity, casualty and trauma patients on a rotational basis.
The senior clinical manager at the hospital informed the doctors that she was unaware and had no knowledge of the salary deductions when asked about it. The doctors at the facility were allegedly then asked to sign final written warnings without any form of enquiry or disciplinary hearing having taken place.
The DA is deeply concerned that these doctors are being unfairly treated for raising a legitimate grievance concerned with fixing medical equipment needed in dispensing their duties and serving the people of the province. MEC Ramathuba must investigate the veracity of these allegations levelled by the doctors as well as look into the legitimacy of the final written warnings.
If these allegations are proven to be legitimate, it is disheartening that this is the treatment that doctors who are at the forefront of the province’s response to Covid-19, are exposed to. Healthcare workers that risk their lives daily to serve the people of Limpopo should be treated fairly especially as we approach the Covid-19 peak.
The DA will continue to monitor this issue until it is resolved in a fair and appropriate manner.