Germiston Mortuary is affected by the pathologist strike at Gauteng Mortuaries, which has left many families unable to access the bodies of their loved ones for burial.<\/p>\n
The GCN received a number of complaints from distressed community members.<\/p>
\u201cThis is absolutely unacceptable because funeral arrangements have been massively affected by this,\u201d said one community member, who wished to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department of Health needs to resolve the problem as soon as possible.<\/p>
\u201cPeople have customary burial traditions that need to be performed before funerals and the strike has caused a lot of frustration and distress.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GCN spoke to Khutso Rabothata, the spokesperson for the Gauteng MEC of Health, Gwen Ramokgopa, who said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been tasked with sending health professionals to the affected mortuaries to \u201cwork around the clock\u201d to address the backlog of autopsies by tomorrow (June 15).<\/p>\n
According to him, seven medical professionals from the SANDF would assist with the situation.<\/p>\n
Rabothata explained that the forensic pathology officers feel their duties and performances aren\u2019t recognised and that they are not paid well enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong other things, the workers want an allowance on top of their monthly salary.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an effort to resolve the problem, Rabothata said the MEC held a meeting with the workers at the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Services, on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter lengthy discussions, the parties involved couldn\u2019t reach an agreement which lead to another meeting being held on Monday, in Johannesburg,\u201d said Rabothata.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MEC convened a second meeting with the parties involved, including the acting HOD of the Department of Health, Dr Ernest Kenoshi, in an effort to resolve the matter amicably.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rabothata also said although government agreed to implement a danger allowance, resume debriefing sessions and counselling and reverse the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD), the workers are still on a go-slow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe parties involved couldn\u2019t reach consensus on the allowance issue,\u201d said Rabothata.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n SAMWU members take to the streets<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/strong>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong><\/span>,\u00a0Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n