THERE are currently no ambulances servicing Empangeni and the emergency call centre has been shut down after Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) employees embarked on an unprotected strike this morning.
According to sources close to the Zululand Observer, more than 90% of staff did not report for duty today, which is severely hampering health services in the region.
With only a few ambulances servicing the Melmoth and eShowe area, EMRS have reportedly requested the assistance of private services, the military health wing and the Fire Department for emergencies.
At Ngwelezana Hospital, the service to transport referral patients to Durban was also cancelled when only two staff members showed up for work, leaving many patients stranded at the hospital early this morning.
Condemn
KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has further condemned the hijacking of two ambulances in the uThungulu District last night, which was later found torched.
‘Two distress calls were responded to in the Vuma and Amatshemhlophe area near eShowe. Each ambulance had a male and female paramedic on board. It was later discovered that these ambulances had been hijacked and burnt. The cell phones of the paramedics were taken and the matter is now subject to police investigation,’ said KZN Health spokesperson Desmond Motha.
He said the illegal action was not supported by any of the labour unions that were recognised by the department.
‘The MEC for Health is greatly relieved that the EMRS paramedics who were hijacked last night have been found safe. As a department, we warn our personnel that if this action has with something to do with the threatened illegal strike action, drastic action will be taken,’ Motha said.
The department further reiterated that services provided by EMRS were prescribed as an ‘essential service’.
‘EMRS personnel are not allowed to participate in strike action or demonstration protests during their working hours. If they do participate, it will constitute an act of misconduct and they will be subject to disciplinary action. This will also be reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the principle of ‘No Work, No Pay’ will apply.’
