The DA has called on Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to urgently intervene in what it says is a "looming national pathology strike".
DA health spokesperson Patricia Kopane said in a statement on Tuesday that the pending strike followed an admission by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) that it would not be able to meet the 7.3% salary increase demanded by pathology professionals and their trade unions.
The NHLS was only able to offer 3%.
"It is crucial that arrangements are made with private laboratories in advance, as a strike at the NHLS will be devastating for patients in need of urgent tests for HIV/AIDS, malaria, cancer and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis," Kopane said.
She added that the strike could have "devastating consequences", as the NHLS was responsible for more than 80% of the country’s pathology diagnostic services.
Kopane said Motsoaledi should provide a detailed plan of action to deal with the consequences of the strike.
A strike by about 180 forensic assistants in Gauteng ended when the provincial health department promised to reverse their remuneration scales to their pre-2010 levels.
The forensic assistants had embarked on industrial action, claiming they were underpaid and doing work they were not qualified for.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.