United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa has condemned the government’s threat to fire doctors who take part in a protest march after the opening of Parliament on Friday.
In a statement on Thursday, Holomisa said the government was displaying a complete disregard for the doctors’ democratic rights.
The South African Medical Association is holding the march to protest against a range of issues, including certain provisions in the National Health Bill.
Holomisa said it appeared doctors were not properly consulted when the Bill was drawn up.
The government’s current approach would achieve nothing, but alienate more health professionals and speed up the ”medical brain drain”, he said.
”In the current circumstances, it appears that incentives to encourage doctors into underserviced areas will succeed where restrictive measures may fail.”
He urged the government to review the draft legislation, which needs only President Thabo Mbeki’s signature to become law.
”After all, the law is not cast in stone, and certainly if the ANC [African National Congress] can amend the Constitution for frivolous and self-serving purposes such as the floor-crossing, then certainly it can reconsider measures that directly affect the very people who are responsible for the health of the nation.” — Sapa