Pietermaritzburg - The 296 doctors who were dismissed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health have been re-instated and resumed work on Friday.
All doctors, including those who were dismissed earlier this week and those who were on still strike, have returned to their work stations, according to departmental spokesperson, Chris Maxon.
The doctors had been dismissed after failing to heed the court order ordering them to report back for work last Monday.
Trade federation COSATU held a meeting with doctors in Durban on Thursday in a bid to ensure that doctors are able to return to work.
Doctors in many hospitals across the country embarked on an illegal strike demanding the implementation of the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), which is an adjustment of salary grades for public servants.
Cabinet on Thursday appealed to doctors to return to work as a matter of urgency as citizens were being deprived of their constitutional right to quality health care.
"Government calls on all the medical professionals who are still on strike to return to work and resume their duties with immediate effect," Mr Maseko.
Government tabled a revised and final offer at the Public Service Bargaining Council on Tuesday. Unions have agreed to communicate the details of the offer to their members for consideration.
The South African Medical Association has urged its members to accept the new revised salary offer.
Meanwhile, army medical personnel have been brought in to assist staff at the Tembisa Hospital in Johannesburg. Other affected hospitals include Natal Spruit and Chris Hani Baragwanath.
Provincial spokesperson, Mandla Sidu told BuaNews the department could not estimate when the strike would be over.
"We are not sure when they would return to work, the department is waiting for them to make a decision," said Mr Sidu.
