Public Health Doctors strike

We heard from Professor Mac Lukhele – from the South African Medical Association. We were talking about the strike by public health doctors at 26 hospitals, which is entering its third week. The public health doctors are striking for pay increases of up to 50% as well as for better working conditions. It is reported that most of the striking doctors are juniors and interns - who earn about R6000 a month after taxes and often have to work 200 hours of overtime a month just to survive and help pay off their student loans but Professor Lukhele explained more. We tried to get the government side of things but the department of Health’s spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said they are unable to be part of this discussion because they are currently busy with a press conference but will try to send a press statement.