“I realise everyday that I made a good decision to remain associated with the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) because of the pride I derive from your involvement in this province” said at the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, today at the parade to thank the members of SAMHS for their selflessness and dedication in providing healthcare to the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal during the public servants strike.
The month of August saw an unprecedented public servants strike in the history of the democratic dispensation in the country. Thousands of public servants, including healthcare workers who are regarded as providers of essential services, joined the strike called by unions representing public servants. Nurses, cleaners and administrative support staff left their workstations for three weeks paralysing the delivery of healthcare in the province.
The South African National Defence Force deployed their Military Health Services to a number of hospitals that were hard hit by the strike. At total of 301 personnel were deployed in King Edward VIII, Prince Mshiyeni memorial, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Dundee, Ladysmith, Manguzi and East Griqualand and Usher Memorial Hospitals. The personnel deployed included nurses (including specialists in midwifery, trauma and intensive care), pharmacists, social workers and support staff who helped with administrative and cleaning duties.
Speaking on their work in the province, Colonel SC Baloyi (Officer Commanding Area Military Health Unit, KZN) said; “We had three shifts to manage. It was a daunting experience for us, especially having to deliver the very high number of babies. We are not used to it but we had to call in more experienced of our staff and the doctors as well as nurses who did not participate were at hand to help.”
The MEC handed over certificates of appreciation to all members who assisted during the strike. The army personnel were coming from Free State, Gauteng, Northern Cape and Western Cape. Before the start of the parade, a soldier recited the army code of discipline and said; “I will serve the South African National Defence force with pride and dignity. I’ll assist my comrades in arms with my life.”
The Parade signifies the demobilisation of the army health personnel deployed under “Operation Prosper” to assist the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.
“I bring you greetings from the Premier and the government of Kwazulu-Natal. You managed to save babies. You looked after the ill, fed and changed patients, cleaned floors and washed the laundry. Most importantly we also want to thank the army personnel who came with you for the security they provided in our institutions,” said the MEC during his address.
“In short, you saved lives. Some hospitals did not have any staff member to run the hospital and the soldiers can in and ran such hospitals. They carried out their duties with discipline which makes me very proud to be part of SAMHS.”
“I do not want to imagine what would have happened had they came later then they did. By the way, they were deployed to our province first; which is why we wanted to thank them for their support. In education, people talk of catch up programmes, however with us we cannot speak of catching up when people, mothers and babies are already dead” the MEC concluded.
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