As part of contingency plans to contain the impact of the work-to-rule by forensic pathology officers (FPOs)‚ in Gauteng the South African Military Health Services has been roped in to assist with autopsies‚ the provincial health department says.

It said the military officials would be deployed in facilities that had been badly affected to help clear backlogs caused by the work-to-rule action which started on June 8.

Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa met with the families last Friday at the Diepkloof centre‚ where FPOs had held staff hostage. After her intervention‚ five autopsies were conducted and the bodies released to their families.

She met with the families again on Tuesday to apprise them of the department’s contingency plans to ensure they were not further inconvenienced and were able to bury their loved ones.

“The Gauteng Department of Health main interest in this matter is to ensure that reasonable concerns of all staff are addressed and that services for the public resume as soon as possible‚” said Ramokgopa.