The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates the newly elected leadership of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU).
SAMATU held its 2nd National Elective Congress from 15 to 17 May at Melrose Arch, north of Johannesburg. Dr. Tshilidzi Sadiki emerged as President and made way for Dr. Mthanjiswa Bengeza who has become the union’s Second Deputy President. Dr. Nkateko Mnisi retained her role as First Deputy President and so did National Treasurer, Dr Bruce Malumane, as well as General Secretary Dr. Cedric Sihlangu.
COSATU commends the new leadership collective and wishes them the best for their term of office. The Federation also applauds members of the union on a successful Congress that saw Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi address the doctors on various subjects including the implementation of HR policies such as Occupational Specific Dispensation, the distribution and roll out of the new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, and Hanta Virus.
COSATU General Secretary, Solly Phetoe, also addressed delegates and spoke about SAMATU’s Junior Doctors Memorandum to the President. Phetoe asked the pertinent question – why young doctors, trained at great cost to the nation, are sitting at home unemployed while our clinics and hospitals are collapsing due to lack of staff.
SAMATU has been a formidable force consistently raising the plight of doctors and medical students as well as patients, from tackling the crisis of unplaced doctors to the underfunding of healthcare and the skewed resourcing between public and private healthcare facilities. The union has been principled in its support of the National Health Insurance as the pathway to universal healthcare.
COSATU commits to always support SAMATU in every way possible on the path to advancing its objectives.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za