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Re: Doctors Commuted Overtime Study for Public Sector Doctors

PE Corporate Services (‘PECS’), a well-known and established South African management consultancy, has been commissioned by the South African Medical Association (SAMA) to conduct an investigation into the levels of overtime worked by medical practitioners in the public service.

SAMA disappointed, shocked at Semenya ruling

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) expresses its deep disappointment with the loss of the court challenge by Olympic champion Caster Semenya at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Geneva, Switzerland. Semenya challenged the IAAF’s rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels.

Circular36of 2019:Amendment toRegulations 31 and 32 of the Medical Schemes Act

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) would like to bring to the attention of stakeholders and the general public theproposed amendments to Regulations 31 and 32 of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 (No. 131 of 1998) as recentlyannounced by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in the Government Gazette of 29 March 2019, Notice no42337.

Early retirement without penalisation of pension benefits in terms of Section 16(6) of the Public Service Act, 1994

In the recent 2019 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance reiterated the measures that government needs to put in place fo assist with the growing budget deficit, which has accrued due to government expenditure on the 2018 Wage Settlement Agreement. During, and post the 2018 Wage Negotiations, economic realities and financial pressures were discussed with organised labour.

2019 MDCM Products

WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WARNING ON VACCINE HESITANCY

The World Medical Association has expressed its alarm about increasing reports of measles outbreaks in many parts of the world.

At its Council meeting in Santiago, Chile, the Association said that misconceptions about vaccinations and reduced vaccination rates posed a significant challenge for health authorities of all nations.

The Council For Medical Schemes (CMS) Publishes Final Gynaecological Cancer Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) Definitions

On 15 April, the CMS Published four benefit definitions for DT-PMB Conditions, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and vulvovaginal cancer.

These benefit definitions are not law, however they should serve to guide PMB-level-of-care entitlements for medical scheme members suffering from these conditions.

Vasectomy on men’s health agenda

The initiative was established after Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini raised concerns about men being apprehensive about getting tested for HIV and other illnesses. Manzini said the high number of men who default on ARVs and the fact that men are still not going to health facilities as frequently as women needed to be addressed.

Drugs to prevent stroke and dementia show promise in small trial

Treatments that prevent recurrence of types of stroke and dementia caused by damage to small blood vessels in the brain have moved a step closer, following a small UK study of two existing drugs used to treat other conditions.

Gauteng Health Department beefs up mental healthcare

Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa provided further updates on misconduct and corruption in her department saying an incident like Esidimeni cannot be allowed to happen again.

At first, Dr Ramokgopa spoke about the positive aspects of growth and accountability in the province.

The MEC then outlined some promises for the future.

Free vaccines available

The Western Cape Department of Health calls on parents and guardians to take care of their children’s health by taking them for free immunisations at clinics and schools.

This is an easy way to support your child’s development, to prevent diseases and to limit the spread of disease within your family and your community. It will also give your child and community a better future.

TRANSITIONAL MEASURES FOR THE AWARDING OF PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES TO MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT SERVICE (DPSA CIRCULAR 2 OF 2019)

3. Members of the SMS are eligible to be considered for performance incentives (i.e pay progression and performance bonuses) on an annual basis subject to them meeting the prescribed performance levels. The final decision on the awarding of performance incentives are taken by the Executive Authority, who shall act on the advice of a moderating committee.

LABOUR LAWS AMENDMENT ACT, 2018( CIRCULAR NO 9 OF 2019)

The DPSA has been inundated with enquiries specifically with regard to the parental leave referred to in section 3 of the Amendment Act. From the enquiries, it transpired that employees and departments are seemingly unaware of the content of section 17 of the Amendment Act. Hence, it is necessary to confirm that the status quo as contained in the prevailing leave provisions remains. In this regard, an employee may apply for three (3) days paternity leave (paragraph 25 of the Determination) and five (5) days (or whatever credits are left of the five working days) family responsibility leave for when his/her child is born or the employee's child/spousef/life partner is ill as contempjated in paragraph 24.4.1 of the Determination.

Reminder of request for comment: Council for Medical Schemes Discussion Document on the Development of Low Cost Benefit Options and and Analysis of Medical Scheme Consolidation (29 March 2019)

In the SAMA Newsletter on 5 April 2019, we communicated a request for membership for comments on the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) Circular 28 of 2019, which updates stakeholders on two developing issues:

New report calls for urgent action to avert antimicrobial resistance crisis

UN, international agencies and experts today released a groundbreaking report demanding immediate, coordinated and ambitious action to avert a potentially disastrous drug-resistance crisis.

If no action is taken - warns the UN Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance who released the report – drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050 and damage to the economy as catastrophic as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

South African Medical Association Research Ethics Committee

THUSANO GROUP

SAMA members qualify for 30 – 40 % discount on all Telkom costs . Thusano Group offers all doctors NEC Telecommunication products with a 5year warranty at discounted prices . These offers are available for small , medium and large practices. We will structure a solution to suit your business needs .

The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD)

2018 CCSA (Complete CPT® for South Africa)
 is available

The CCSA consists of the American Medical Association's Physicians Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®), which is a systematic listing and coding of procedures and services performed by medical practitioners. Linked to these procedures and services is the Medicare Resource-based Relative Value Scale, which consist of relative value units for facilities and non-facilities, where appropriate.

CPD Manager & CPD Journal

Medical Practice Consulting offers all members the use of the fully integrated CPD Manager free of charge.

The South African National Blood Service

United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Our medical teams in the field provide services that range from basic vaccination campaigns, to maternal and pediatric care, to fighting neglected diseases, to complex surgery. MSF also advocates for affordable, high-quality medicines for the world's poorest people

WMA Annual General

The purpose of the WMA is to serve humanity by endeavoring to achieve the highest international standards in Medical Education, Medical Science, Medical Art and Medical Ethics, and Health Care for all people in the world.

The South African Medical Association  - Postal Address-The South African Medical Association P O Box 74789,Lynnwood Ridge Pretoria 0040, South Africa
 Physical address The South African Medical Association, Block F Castle Walk Corporate Park Nossob Street Erasmuskloof Ext3 Pretoria 0181, South Africa
www.samedical.org

Other SAMA Services
SAMA Membership department
SAMA Committees

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