Pretoria - Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will today visit the Chris Hani Baragwanath and GaRankuwa hospitals to interact with the military health doctors and nurses who have been deployed to assist during the public service strike.
Defence and Military Veterans spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya told BuaNews the deployment of military personnel is being done based on the need or shortage of staff at the hospitals.
He said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) had been roped in to help at 32 hospitals across the country during the public service strike.
Members of the SANDF have been deployed to at least seven provinces with various multi-disciplinary medical teams from the SA Military Health Service have been deployed to the country's major hospitals.
In Gauteng, the defence force has been deployed to Natalspruit, Chris Hani Baragwanath, Helen Joseph, Kalafong, George Mukhari and the Steve Biko hospitals.
In KwaZulu-Natal, teams have been deployed to the King Edward, Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Albert Luthuli, Prince Mshiyeni and Stanger hospitals. In the North West, Brits hospital, Bophelong hospital in Mafikeng and JT Tabane hospital are also occupied.
In the Eastern Cape, teams have been deployed to the Dora Nzinga and Livingstone hospitals and in Limpopo, teams have occupied Polokwane hospital, Van Velden hospital, Lebowakgomo Hospital, St Rita's Hospital and Maphutha-Malatji hospital.
In Mpumalanga Witbank, Tonga, KwaMhalanga, Mapulaneng, Rob Ferreira, Ermelo and Themba hospitals were under the SANDF's watchful eye and in the Free State, teams occupied the Bongane, Katlego and Pelonomi hospitals.
Teams were not deployed in the Western and Northern Cape.
According to the department, there have been no reports of disruption from the various teams and members will continue to support the department of health to ensure there is no further disruption of services while the strike continues.
During her visits to the hospitals, the minister will be accompanied by senior Generals of SANDF.
