As the body count rises due to public wage protests across the country, patients and health workers fear more lives will be lost if demonstrations escalate and protesters terrorize them again, leaving hospitals staffed with skeleton staff.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said on Thursday at least four people had died as a result of the strike action by the National, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu).
Phaahla said this is according to preliminary reports that have not been investigated to help the department decide on the next course of action.
‘Live at risk’
On Thursday, outpatients and health workers were escorted to a Gauteng hospital after having to enter through a back door on Wednesday.
According to Dinah Moilwa’s 85-year-old janitor and daughter, Merriam Segoa, the protesters ignored patients who needed emergency treatment.
“We understand the frustration and it’s right, but at this point the whole country is against him, because he’s putting his life at risk.”
Segoa said on Wednesday, protesters denied doctors and patients entry to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Joburg and when they were allowed in, no one came to help.
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Gauteng hospitals that experienced total deaths on Wednesday were Kopanong, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane and Bheki Mlangeni.
Patients were allegedly left unattended as striking workers entered wards, ordering staff out of the facility, with two academic hospitals, Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath, also affected.
“Imagine coming home with a sick person, who is very sick. The person we can see is weak and suffering. Maybe they want him to die first to see how bad this is,” said Segoa with tears.
‘we are afraid’
“I don’t know what I would do if my mother died in my arms, because these people don’t want us to go inside.
“They started being violent even to the patients. We know, we have heard them and they must continue to fight for what is theirs, but it will not affect ordinary citizens who are going through the same struggle.
Holding her daughter’s hand to calm her down, Moilwa said poverty has turned everyone into something incomprehensible.
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“I’m glad they gave me access today, only God knows what can happen.”
A nurse who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimization said some protesters intimidated her for showing up at work and not participating in protests.
“At work, some protesters who also went to the hospital, called me and said they will remember me when the government gives 10%,” he said.
“We want to support, but we are afraid that there is no protection, we should not force people to participate. I believe that the people who are there are only there because they are forced.
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Charlotte Maxeke hospital chief executive Gladys Bogoshi said several health services have been affected, including porters, clerks, hospital cooks, linen service staff and lab practitioners.
Phaahla said adjustments are being made to reorganize non-emergency services.
“We understand that in the affected provinces, non-emergency services will have to be rescheduled, but no one in need of emergency attention should be restored,” Phaahla added.
“People who are taking chronic medication should be helped so that they don’t run out.”
Meanwhile, the union’s Mandla Mdluli said the protests had no malicious intent and he condemned reports of violence against patients and workers.
“The public has been led to believe we are criminals; we are locking up patients,” he said.
“We are not. Some of us here are health workers; we know the pain of patients. Even patients themselves say at least give access.
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