Johannesburg - The strike over salary disputes at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Soweto has resulted in patients seeking medical care being turned away following the disruption of operations demonstrated by the staff on Tuesday.
Patients were met with disappointment in the morning as scores of public servants took to the streets, blocking the main entrance to the facility and several other roads nearby.
Videos and pictures showing burning tyres have been circulating across social media platforms.
It is reported that only one emergency theatre was operational at the hospital as the public servants downed their tools.
The absence of the staff also resulted in the cancellation of elective surgeries at one of the largest health facilities in the country.
According to EWN, workers affiliated with unions like Nehawu, the Public Servants Association, and others are striking over a wage controversy.
It is further revealed that the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) secured a court interdict preventing its members from obstructing the rendering of health services to patients.
“The interim interdict is applicable with immediate effect and prevents striking public servants from assaulting, threatening, intimidating and inciting violence with respect to any employee or staff member across our health facilities. It also prohibits the protesters from destroying or damaging any property or preventing free movement and/or access to healthcare facilities at any GDOH offices,” said GDOH spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.
Modiba added that early on Tuesday, the provision of services in some parts of the province, particularly in Sebokeng Hospital in Sedibeng and CHBAH in the Joburg health districts, were affected due to the national public service protest action.
The DA has also expressed concern about the strike, revealing its detriments that are also affecting other hospitals.
“The DA is very concerned that medical staff are on strike today at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Videos have been circulated that show demonstrations and burning tyres outside the hospital. It seems that there is now only a skeleton staff to provide minimum services at this major hospital,” said the DA’s Jack Bloom.
“In the past, medical staff usually demonstrated during lunch and tea times, so it is disappointing that patients suffer because of the mass staff absence. Some other public hospitals are also affected by the public sector strike. Lives could be lost because of this. Patients should never have to suffer because of irresponsible industrial action.”
The Star
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