The Public Servants Association (PSA) has vowed to ramp up protest action in KwaZulu-Natal until all unemployed doctors in the province are appointed by the Department of Health.
This comes after widespread protests erupted last week over the continued joblessness of more than 150 medical graduates. The PSA has slammed government inaction, accusing authorities of making hollow promises on healthcare reform while public hospitals face critical staff shortages.
PSA provincial manager in KZN, Mlungisi Ndlovu, says the union fully supports the demonstrations and is calling for urgent intervention.
“As PSA KwaZulu-Natal, we support the strike by these unemployed doctors. The department has yet to clarify how posts will be allocated. Based on population figures alone, KZN should receive no less than 20% of the 1,200 available positions—at least 200 posts,” said Ndlovu.
He added that both the Health Minister and the provincial MEC have failed to provide concrete responses after engaging with affected doctors.
“The minister must intervene, and National Treasury must urgently release funds so these positions can be advertised and filled,” Ndlovu added.
The PSA says it will continue applying pressure until all qualified doctors are absorbed into the healthcare system.