EWN reports that according to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), higher pay in the private sector has been the core reason why many pathologists have left the public health sector.
In five years, the Gauteng NHLS has lost eleven staff members, leaving it with only four pathologists. On Monday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) visited the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, where it was revealed that two of the four pathologists were expected to retire soon. During the meeting between the DA and lab officials, the party's Jack Bloom referenced a grievance letter the pathologists had previously presented to management. In the letter, the pathologists had listed that they were unhappy about the suspension of a night shift, the work overload, safety and inadequate equipment. However, NHLS CEO Koleka Mlisana said most of the pathologists had left for better pay. NHLS said it was looking into ways of retaining staff, while it tried to fill vacant posts.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jabulile Mbatha at EWN
- Read too, Pathology backlog at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital reaches breaking point, at SABC News
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