[Debate] The SAMA marches, Friday 29 May 2009, Pretoria, Durban and Bisho

[Dominic Tweedie]

*[image: SAMA]***

*  *

*SAMA Marches *

·        *Date*: 29 March 2009 [Friday]

·        *Time*: 11h00

·        *Venues*: Pretoria, Durban and Bisho (details below)



The South African Medical Association (SAMA) will be marching in Pretoria,
Durban and Bisho on Friday 29 May 2009, to protest and demand action on the
challenges they face both in the public and private health sectors.



*Pretoria march route: *



*Assembly in* *Brown Street* @ 11h00, March down Prinsloo Street to
Department of  Health Fedlife Building. Parking areas for Pretoria

·        Sammy marks Square

·        State Theatre

·        Absa Bank

·        Corner Van der Walt and Pretorius

·        Sanlam Centre

 Wear the black arm bands on your right arm as it is required by the
Pretoria Metro Police.



*KZN march route:*

*Assemble in Botha Gardens* @ 11h00 March long West Street to Durban City
Hall



*Eastern Cape Bisho Route:*

*Assemble in Pallo Avenue* @ 11h00 March to Department of Health Shukumbana
Building





*Today’s SAMA media release: *



*Doctors' demands are not arbitrary*



*Adri van Eeden, 27 May 2009*



The SA Medical Association (SAMA) rejects the statements made in the media
by Deputy Director-General in the Department of Health, Dr Percy Mahlati.

Speaking on the OSD request for a 50% increase on public sector doctors’
salaries, Dr Mahlati stated that “such a demand is arbitrary, condones a
one-size fits all approach and will not address the disparities that the OSD
seeks to address”.

SAMA would like to emphasise that our figures have been based on careful
research performed by an independent organisation, which has also advised
other professions on the real value of their services. This data was
supplied to the then Minister of Health Barbara Hogan and Dr Mahlati. That
the Department now finds it necessary to criticize these figures is regarded
with outrage by SAMA, when in the midst of the bargaining process. No
process can be started and then continued without a sound base, and this is
precisely why these figures have been made available to the Department.

SAMA takes exception to Dr Mahlati’s statement of "It is now questionable
whether SAMA really wants this matter resolved or not". SAMA’s commitment
has been repeatedly demonstrated by the fact that despite the OSD matter
having dragged on for the best part of two years, it has consistently -
through interaction with the Department and other stakeholders - persisted
in obtaining adequate remuneration and better working conditions for our
public sector doctors. We hope that the Department commits itself to a
substantial offer which will attest to its commitment to the negotiating
process and improve doctors’ remuneration.

SAMA continues to support the planned march in Pretoria on Friday. The fact
that doctors are angry is precisely because of these type of comments made
by the Department, instead of focussing on speeding up the process around
the OSD.

SAMA wants to emphasise that the march on 29 May could lead to further
legitimate protest actions by SAMA members if doctors’ demands are not met.

ENDS



Issued by the Corporate Communication Unit of the South African Medical
Association

*Enquiries: Corporate Communication, Adri van Eeden 012 481 2042*
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