Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has requested the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) to render assistance at hospitals during the public service strike.
"We have made requests to the SAMHS to come to our rescue. Given that this is a national strike, we know that SAMHS can't be everywhere. Where there is a fairly good attendance and minimal disruptions, we are keeping such institutions running to ensure that some services continue," Dhlomo said.
Dhlomo, who visited the King Edward VIII Hospital on Wednesday to see how the public service strike was affecting the delivery of healthcare, was shocked to find the casualty department deserted, in the dark and the phone ringing frantically.
On answering the phone, he spoke to a nurse from one of the clinics (in Ntuzuma) who wanted to transfer a two year-old child, who had been injured in a motor vehicle accident.
"For all we know; it could be a child of one of the protesters. To hear reports that people are being intimidated to leave their workplaces is worrisome and disturbing.
"By disrupting healthcare services do they consider what would happen should they or their next of kin become in need of this very care? While we respect the right of public servants to engage the employer and struggle for their rights; that cannot be equated or made to surpass the right of ordinary citizens to healthcare," the MEC added.
Briefing the provincial Cabinet on Wednesday, the MEC and the Head of Department Dr Sibongile Zungu, said a number of hospitals reported that staff members were forcibly removed from their work stations and patients were left unattended.
In some cases, the protesters blockaded gates - blocking access into and from the hospital for Emergency Medical & Rescue Services (EMRS). In some areas, reports of people's lives being threatened were received.
"The right to health care services is provided for in three sections of the South African Constitution. The fundamental responsibility of healthcare workers is fourfold: to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering."
The department has made a call to all health professionals to consider those sick and vulnerable as they engage in their strike action.
"Intimidation of staff members, the department believes, is totally unacceptable and borders on criminality," the MEC said, adding that the right to strike does not take away the right of citizens to healthcare.
