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Misconduct charges for Eastern Cape Doctors uncalled for - SAMA
"The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is extremely concerned that three senior doctors in the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex are being charged with misconduct for speaking to the media and public about the poor state of healthcare at the Dora Nginza, Livingstone and Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospitals.
Responding to the intention to charge them, Association acting Chairman Dr Mark Sonderup said any attempt by the Eastern Cape Health Department to launch disciplinary action against these doctors would be ardently opposed.
“Appreciating the desperate situation in which they find themselves, we fully support our members’ actions" he added. “These actions followed very exhaustive processes and attempts at numerous levels to try and resolve the core issues within the department, particularly those surrounding the moratorium on staff appointments and proper funding for the services doctors are expected to deliver",” Dr Sonderup pointed out.
“More importantly, the EC Department of Health needs to be reminded that doctors have a moral and ethical duty to point out deficiencies that will cause harm to patients and this has accordingly been done by the doctors involved. This is not a political issue – it is an ethical one”
Instead of the high handed approach being taken by the ECDOH, we call on them to meaningfully engage so that the endemic problems in this Department can be attended to."
About the South African Medical Association (SAMA)
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is a non-statutory, professional association for public and private sector medical practitioners.
Registered as an independent, non-profit Section 21 company SAMA acts as a trade union for its public sector members and as a champion for doctors and patients.
Acting Chairperson/Spokesperson:
Dr Mark Sonderup
Cell: 083 626 1909
