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Update: Legal options regarding HPCSA fee increase
Dear SAMA Member
On 2 March we communicated to you our frustration and ire regarding increases to the professional fees by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). We noted that the increases are unfair and not justifiable, and that they could not go unchallenged. We further noted that we would engage with the HPCSA with a view to addressing our members’ concerns on this issue.
Following the announcement of the HPCSA fees, we immediately made our dismay known to the Council and the Minister. Given the lack of promised engagement on the matter, we also decided to explore our legal options. A request for information has been sent in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain budgets, minutes of meetings, and other relevant communication and/or data relating to Council’s ‘justification’ for increasing the fees. In addition, a legal opinion has been sought on the prospects of successfully challenging the fee increase. We will keep you updated on any potential legal action.
SAMA and other stakeholders are in the process of securing a meeting with the Minister.
SAMA is committed to ensuring the best outcome in this matter for its members and is taking the necessary steps to secure such a positive outcome. It is now, and will always be, our mission to ensure medical doctors in South Africa are treated fairly, and that anything that impacts on their rights is dealt with swiftly and decisively.
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