It was unfair and short-sighted of the Gauteng Department of Health to end the contracts of all doctors employed by the Tshwane Metro’s Health Department on 31 March.
These doctors are all part of the National Health Insurance pilot programme.
Thousands of patients receiving treatment at the 24 clinics in Tshwane are affected by the decision.
According to the available information, doctors were informed by WhatsApp that their employment contracts have lapsed and will only be renewed if these doctors register as independent contractors.
The process requires doctors to register a company for which they need to obtain a Black Economic Empowerment certificate before registering as service providers on a central database. They will also only be allowed to work 20 hours per week in a specific district.
This amendment to the employment contracts could mean that clinics will have to make do with fewer doctors seeing as many doctors will not want to subject themselves to such stringent requirements and limited working hours.
The Freedom Front Plus MPL, Adv Anton Alberts, is busy engaging with the Gauteng Department of Health about the matter.
The party proposed that the renewal process should be reviewed to avoid needless red tape.
The Department was also asked to provide clarity on its plans for permanent positions and whether it would simply continue using fixed-term contracts.
The Freedom Front Plus will remain involved in the matter to ensure that doctors’ rights and patients’ needs are protected.
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