Health minister in Vosloorus to assess effects of hospital strike

The Department of Health cannot afford to pay the 10% wage increase that is demanded by Nehawu and other unions in behalf of the healthcare workers.

This was said by the Minister of Health Joe Paahla when he visited Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus to assess the health services disruption on March 13.

The healthcare workers, led by Nehawu, protested last week demanding a 10% wage increase and they continued today, while the minister was assessing the hospital.

According to Paahla, it was important for the health department to reinforce security at the hospital to restore order and ensure the hospital is functional again.

“That’s why we deployed the SANDF, SAPS and EMPD. There are hundreds of patients at the hospital today. Some came last week to the hospital, but couldn’t get any health service because of the protest.

“Now we have done everything possible to ensure they receive health service, from administration to the doctors and nurses,” the minister said.

He added that’s what the health facility is meant to do.

“A lot of people have received treatment today, although the hospital is not operating at its optimal best. I would like to appeal to the health workers to come back to work, because there’s nothing important as saving lives.

“The health workers can embark on the legitimate course to demand their wage increase, while saving lives. We can support such an action as the department,” explained Paahla.

He added that the provinces that are severely affected by the protests are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape and a some parts of the Free State.

“We can’t confirm that there are people that died because of the strike, we have to get the hospital’s records. The wage increase negotiations are led by the ministry of public services and administration.

“Noxolo Kiviet, the minister of Public Services and Administration, has been trying to reconvene the bargaining council so that all the parties can go back to the negotiations. You would be aware that Nehawu pulled out of the bargaining council, but the other unions are still willing to negotiate,” said the minister.

A man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the protest affected a patient he transported to the hospital for treatment.

“I came here on March 9 with the patient, but he didn’t get treatment because no one was allowed to access the hospital. I’m happy that he was admitted today.

“I think the government has done a great thing by deploying the army and law enforcement to control the situation at the hospital,” the man said.

The Boksburg Advertiser tried to get comment from Nehawu regional chairperson but our efforts went unanawered.

A response will be added once it is received.

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