Doctors call for a resolution

The Doctors' Forum called on the government and public service unions to end their strike.

"We call on government to continue negotiations with immediate effect and work hard for a compromise solution between themselves and the unions," the association's spokesman Moatshe Sekhu said in a statement.

Unions have rejected government's offer of a 7.5% wage increase and a R800 housing allowance. They were demanding an 8.6% hike and a R1000 housing allowance.

The forum said the strike was endangering critically ill people.

Inadequate care for patients

"A significant number of patients who were critically ill and in intensive care units were transferred to private hospitals and clinics. They receive inadequate care because our doctors have to travel from their place of work to see them in private clinics, thus limiting necessary continuity of care, possible when all our patients are in one place."

Other critical patients did not see their loved ones, as their families had to travel long distances to see them.

"It is possible that more avoidable deaths have occurred amongst this group of patients."

Treatments for HIV/Aids patients unavailable

HIV/Aids patient unable to access their treatment risked becoming drug resistant and chronically ill patients were developing complications.

The forum was opposed to minimum service agreements, as proposed by the unions, as the sick deserved "the best possible care".

The inability of negotiators to reach a solution had led to the strike having "untold misery on our patients".

The forum represents public hospital doctors, dentists, private practitioners, medical officers, medical and surgical specialists, community service doctors, interns and medical students in their fifth and sixth years of study. (Sapa, September 2010)

Read more:

TB patients sent home because of strike

Medical facilities open dispite strike