Durban - About 200 paramedics in the eThekwini region who provide a critical first line of care in medical emergencies will down tools from February 2.
Their strike has come after repeated “broken promises” from their employers regarding long standing overtime and gratuity payments.
Medical watchdog, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), has warned such action would have “catastrophic” repercussions.
“We fear the consequences for the sick, aged and injured who will be in desperate need of medical attention during the strike,” said provincial chairman Patrick Mdletshe.
The disillusioned paramedics are “fed up” with their working conditions. Some have worked more than 30 hours of overtime a month, since September, but have not been paid. Yet their colleagues in other regions have received timeous payment for overtime.
An Occupational Specific Dispensation, a gratuity payment in respect of employees qualifications and service, was agreed upon between the parties in 2009, but the Department of Health is yet to honour its commitment.
Efforts from the Public Servants Association of South Africa, the union representing the affected paramedics, to resolve the impasse have proved fruitless.
Ishraat Mooloo, acting head of the Public Servants Association in KZN, said the Department of Health had indicated it would pay outstanding overtime money due in December, but had reneged on its word.
“Our members have made tremendous sacrifices in terms of their personal and family time to work overtime, thereby assisting the department in meeting its service delivery commitments. But they have received no reward.
“The department’s failure to pay overtime and Occupational Specific Dispensations was not only a breach of the collective agreement but showed scant regard for the sacrifices made by employees,” he said.
Mooloo said the strike to force the department to honour its collective agreements is just the beginning. The association would do whatever was legally necessary for its members.
One paramedic, who asked not to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said they accepted overtime work because thousands of people rely on the essential service they provide daily .
They (the paramedics) looked forward to the extra pay from overtime work to stay financially buoyant.
“We had a bleak Christmas because the outstanding money we hoped to receive in December never arrived,” he said.
“Enough is enough, we can’t continue working under these conditions.”
Outstanding income was not the only factor contributing to the lowered morale. Other issues included:
* Poor rate of pay.
* Poor hygiene standards.
* Lack of basic and essential tools of their trade.
* Defective vehicles.
* Paying for their own Public Driving Permits.
* Paying for their annual membership with Health Practitioners Council of South Africa.
Mdletshe called on the Department of Health to address the discontentment of the paramedics.
He said recently the department embarked on a programme to improve healthcare delivery and one of the key areas it looked at was the improvement of the emergency system.
However the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department in an e-mailed response said the validation and calculation of the second phase of Occupation Specific Dispensation is under way and this had been communicated to staff.
“Payments for overtime will be effected for qualifying personnel when the department is in a position to do this.”
Regarding complaints about working conditions, it said specifics were needed.
“Each ambulance or vehicle is supplied with the necessary equipment and supplies for the examination and treatment of patients. It is the responsibility of the ambulance crew to look after the equipment and replace it or replenish it after use.”
Regarding allegations that staff are forced to buy their own blood sugar and pressure testing devices the department said staff must name the person forcing them to do this.
Regarding allegations that staff were forced to wear the same uniforms for up to three days it said staff were issued with four sets of uniform.
“They work two day shifts and two night shifts before they rest for four days.”
Regarding claims staff were forced to drive defective vehicles and when they complain they are told to “improvise” the department asked for specifics.
“A certificate of fitness is required every six months for the ambulances to be on the road.
“It is the duty and responsibility of the driver to inspect and check for faults and report them to management.”
They deny claims that crew rooms are overcrowded and run down.
Regarding the renewal of paramedics’ professional driving permits and the payment of HPCSA fees, these were for their own account.
Sunday Tribune