HEALTH DEPARTMENT spokesperson Ncumisa Mafunda responds:

“The department notes the media enquiry, in which an average of 58 – 60 days’ incapacity leave per affected employee over a five-month period has been extrapolated to seem far worse than it actually is. These are, unfortunately, the tactics of individuals who are pursuing certain sinister agendas.

“The department would like to challenge such individuals to provide the number of days that have been worked collectively by its 68 000 employees during the corresponding period. The department is always concerned when any employee has to be placed on incapacity leave, because it values its employees and their well being. To this end, the department has an employee assistance programme which strives to assist employees who have challenges that might affect their productivity, or ability to work.

“The department has held a high-level meeting and discussed a concerning upward trend whereby employees have been placed on incapacity leave, as aided by an external health risk management entity.

“As a result of this intervention, applications for incapacity leave are tightly scrutinised, with the department taking a decision to medically board staff who are no longer medically fit to work, rather than have them placed on continued incapacity leave. Had the department not intervened, the numbers cited in the media statement would be higher.”