Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has promised to put in place contingency measures in the face of today's full blown public service strike.
Department MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the contingency measures include deploying administration staff from central and regional offices to assist at the worst affected clinics and hospitals.
"Volunteers have also been mobilised to assist when required and all hospital managers and senior officials who are in training or workshops have all been called back to assist.
"All hospitals and clinics will remain open during the strike and the department will closely monitor the impact of the industrial action," Mahlangu said.
Strike committees have also been established in all hospitals to evaluate the situation regularly and call for assistance when necessary.
Mahlangu has appealed to striking workers to refrain from intimidation and denying patients access to much needed medical care.
This follows the blockading of entrances to Natalspruit Hospital in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, where striking workers intimidated and prevented ambulances, doctors, nurses and patients from entering hospital premises.
"While workers have a right to express their dissatisfaction, it is unacceptable that lives of desperate people are put at risk," Mahlangu said.
In the Western Cape, the health department said contingency plans remained in place and health services will function in line with the available staff during the strike.
"Every effort will be made to maintain a normal level of service and we will contract agency staff where necessary," said department spokesperson, Helene Rossouw.
