By Ebi Kesiena
The South African military said on Monday, that it had deployed its medics at several hospitals to minimize disruption during a public health care workers strike that government blames for several patients’ death.
Phillip Makopo, Sokesman for the health service branch of the South African National Defense Force, noted that the action was to ensure services are ongoing despite the strike.
“We received a request from the health minister to assist with the ongoing strike and to make sure services are ongoing and there is minimum disruption,” he said.
Services at various public hospitals have been affected since nurses, cleaners and support staffers walked out last Monday, demanding better wages.
“The military healthcare practitioners were deployed to hospitals as determined by the DOH and will remain deployed as may be required,” a SANDF statement said Monday.
Health Minister, Joe Phaahla has said that at least, four patients have died “in a manner that could be directly attributed to the strike.”
Last week, patients were prevented from accessing Healthcare by striking workers, who blocked entrances at various hospitals.
Phaahla told Local media that troops would also help secure access to health facilities.
On Monday morning, reports have it that four soldiers where positioned near the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, southeast of Johannesburg while police patrolled the entrance.
Services at various public hospitals have been affected since nurses, cleaners and support staffers downed their tools last Monday demanding better wages.
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, (NEHAWU) called the strike, after wage negotiations with the government collapsed.
Unions are demanding a 10 percent pay hike, amid rising living costs but the government has offered just 4.7 percent.
On Monday, a labor court ordered the industrial action be halted with immediate effect but the strikers dressed in red union colors, continued picketing and chanting outside some hospitals.
