Haniff Hoosen, the ID Spokesperson for Health, says the Independent Democrats is ‘shocked’ by the decision of the KZN Provincial Health Department to fire 226 striking doctors.

'The Independent Democrats calls on Government to re-instate all 226 doctors immediately. Whilst we do not condone the defiance of the court order, we do not believe that this action on the part of Government will serve as a solution in any way whatsoever to the ongoing crisis in the healthcare sector,’ Mr Hoosen says.

‘The ID calls for calm and for both sides to find a solution through a negotiated settlement. We would like Government to think carefully about where they will find doctors to replace those they have fired, as well as the cost of employing foreign doctors, when there is already such a dire shortage. 

‘We would like to plead with doctors to return to work to prevent the loss of innocent lives,’ says Hoosen.

For media enquiries, please call Steven Otter, ID National Media Officer, on 084 233 3811