By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng provincial health department has been granted an interim interdict overnight preventing the disruption of medical service in the province.
Workers have been ordered not to obstruct the rendering of health services to any patients during the strike.
National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Newahu) downed tools on Monday and they are demanding a wage increase of between 10 and 12%, while government has so far only offered a hike of 4.7%.
This despite a court ruling on Tuesday ordering workers to return to their posts.
Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says several hospitals across the province have been affected.
“Some hospitals experienced total shutdown as was the case at Kopanong, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane and Bheki Mlangeni, where patients were left unattended as striking workers went inside wards ordering staff out of the facilities.
“Two academic hospitals, Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath were also negatively impacted.
“The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services personnel were also threatened from responding to calls and denied access in or out of facilities causing frustration among people in need of emergency medical care.”
Modiba said the interdict will remain in place until the parties return to court in April.
“The interim interdict is applicable with immediate effect and prevents striking workers from doing anything which directly or indirectly obstructs or impedes access to and from health facilities across the Gauteng province and damaging any departmental property whether movable or immovable.
“It further prohibits the protesters from barricading entrances or buildings, molesting, assaulting, threatening or intimidating any member of staff in or out patient, contractors, visitors or officials of the Gauteng Health.”
The Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, said the unprotected strike by the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Newahu) that intensified across the country had led to the loss of lives.
He was speaking at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg late on Wednesday night.
Phaahla said security at hospitals would be increased and the interim court interdicts should go some way in allaying the fears of people across the country worried about not receiving medical care.
“So, we are hoping for better enforcement of the rule of law especially with the assistance of the courts.”
The minister said military health services personnel would assist at facilities where needed.
“The most important support is security. That’s why the steps that have been taken are to make sure that staff are secure over and above the court orders, making sure that they [the court] can be enforced.”