Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu has condemned the blockading of entrances to Natalspruit Hospital in Ekurhuleni by striking workers today.
The MEC appealed to striking workers to refrain from intimidation and from preventing ambulances, doctors, nurses and patients from entering hospital premises denying patients access to much needed medical care.
MEC Mahlangu says, "While workers have a right to express their dissatisfaction, it is unacceptable that lives of desperate people are put at risk."
Many hospital and clinics operated normally in the morning with disruptions occurring in the afternoon as employees joined protest demonstrations. The union has promised a full blown strike from tomorrow and the Department has put in place contingency measures to mitigate against the strike.
The contingency measures include deploying administration staff from central and regional offices to assist at worst affected clinics and hospitals, volunteers have also been mobilized to assist when required and all hospital managers and senior officials who are in training or workshops have all been called back to assist.
All hospitals and clinics will remain open during the strike and the Department will closely monitor the impact of the industrial action.
All hospitals have established a strike committee which will evaluate the situation regularly and call for assistance when necessary.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
