South Africa: Total Hospital Shutdown in Five Provinces

Luphert Chilwane

FIVE of the nine provinces experienced a complete shutdown of public hospitals yesterday as the doctors' strike for a 50% wage increase intensified.

Doctors interviewed by telephone said public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and parts of Gauteng were completely shut down while those in the Free State, the North West and the Northern Cape operated with few doctors.

Lebogang Phahladira, spokesman for the South African Registrars' Association, said doctors would fight until the government offered them a 50% wage increase.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi last week announced an 18%- 60% increase for junior and senior doctors, which angered many doctors because the increase includ ed incentives such as housing, car, scarce skills, overtime and car allowances.

allAfrica.com: South Africa: Total Hospital Shutdown in Five Provinces (Page 1 of 1)

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