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ECIPA Lend Support to East Cape DoH Department Heads

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ECIPA, a Managed Care Organisation and association of 90 family doctors in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, has weighed in to the ‘Rebel Doctors’ saga and come out in support of the beleaguered Department Heads of the Provincial, Livingstone and Dora Nginza Hospitals.

In a joint statement ECIPA Healthcare write:

It is with great concern that we read about the public confrontation between public sector doctors and the E. Cape Health Department.

The disruption in services will largely affect those that are most in need of these services – the poor and disadvantaged – at worst it could lead to loss of precious life.

We understand and empathise with the Department of Health that the healthcare challenges and needs in our province are significant and hence not an easy task.

At the same time we also acknowledge the dedicated and sterling service rendered by our three esteemed and respected senior colleagues (some of them serving for more than 35yrs). Dr L. Pepeta, who hails from Bizana and qualified at the previous University of Transkei, is the only paediatric cardiologist (qualified at age 34yrs) in the E. Cape and is one of about 19 in our country. He is serving our communities both in the public and private sectors. Dr Pepeta is currently studying for his Masters of Medicine (MMED) degree in Paediatrics and has a bright future ahead of him.

To our knowledge Dr B Brown, who has published extensive research articles, is the only public sector cardiologist in the Nelson Mandela Metro and dedicatedly served the Metro and our province since the late 1970’s. Many doctors received training under him.

Dr S S Pillay was recently made professor and in addition was a deserving winner of the West African College of Surgeons honorary fellowship for his contribution to medicine in Africa. Colleagues have described Dr Pillay as a champion of the cause for trainees from resource poor African countries and someone who is very determined to strengthen surgical links between the different regions. He has effectively achieved this by holding prominent positions in different organisations. From 2006 to 2009 he was elected President of the Pan African Association of Surgeons (PAAS) and after that, until 2011, occupied the role of President of the Association of Surgeons of South Africa (ASSA). Pillay has also been very active in the South African medical scene, serving as the Chairperson of the Association of Surgeons of South Africa in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2007. He then moved to the role of President for the same group. He also holds the position of treasurer for the International Society of Surgery (ISS/SIC), the world’s oldest Surgical society.

There is a risk of losing these much respected and scarce-skills doctors as public sector employees, which might greatly compromise health services in the Metro and our Province. We hereby humbly appeal to the DOH to amicably resolve this disagreement and avoid confrontation, in the interests of the public, especially the needy.

We are hopeful that this will materialise.

Yours faithfully

Dr G. Govender (Executive officer: Ecipa Healthcare) – for and behalf of
Dr P. Tabata (Chairperson of the Ecipa Executive Committee)
Dr G. April (Chairperson of the Ecipa Healthcare Board of Directors)

Related Links: Psychiatrists Support ‘Rebel’ Doctors | 80% of SA’s Population Serviced by 18% of SA’s Doctors | East Cape Doctors draw the line in the sand with Health Department | Three Doctors Singled out for Misconduct Investigation | Heartfelt Support for PEHC Cardiologists | College of Medicine of South Africa Comment on ‘Rebel’ Doctors.

Read what people are saying about Livingstone hospital HERE.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.