FIVE of the nine provinces in South Africa experienced a complete shutdown of public hospitals yesterday as the doctors' strike for a 50% wage increase intensified.

Doctors interviewed by telephone said public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and parts of Gauteng were shut down while those in the Free State, the North West and the Northern Cape operated with few doctors.

Lebogang Phahladira, spokesman for the South African Registrars' Association, said doctors would fight until the government offered them a 50% wage increase.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced last week  an 18%- 60% increase for junior and senior doctors, which angered many doctors because the increase included incentives such as housing, car, scarce skills, overtime and car allowances.

The Junior Doctors' Association described the offer as "an insult".

Phahladira said yesterday doctors were prepared to fight until "their hands are broken". He said SA's medical fraternity was burning with anger and frustration.

After intensive negotiations that lasted until the early hours of yesterday, the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council, which covers all health professionals at a national level, said the employer had presented its final offer to health professionals.

A media release from the council said the employees would now consider the offer.

Source : All Africa