[FOLLOW UP] Employees at Yusuf Dadoo must return to work immediately

For the past week, the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital has made headlines and infuriated the public at the same time.

It all started on Friday, 1 March, when employees protested outside the hospital, claiming they wanted answers from management about various issues they had.

“Following a four-day unprotected strike at the hospital, the Gauteng Department of Health has obtained and served a court interdict on the striking employees,” said a statement from the Gauteng Department of Health.

Also read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/375240/yusuf-dadoo-protests-hospital-management-gets-court-order-against-protesters/

During the strike, out-patients were referred to different hospitals and the critical patients were moved to Leratong Hospital. Ambulances were also prevented from entering the hospital grounds.

“As a department, we were left with no option but to approach the courts to interdict the strikers and restore service to the facility,” said the Gauteng Head of the Department, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele.

He added, “Although we respect the workers’ rights to strike, they should do so within the confines of the law, however, in the health facilities the primacy of the patients should reign supreme”.

He explained that the employees at Dr Yusuf Dadoo had embarked on an unlawful and unprotected strike, which led to patients being unattended and putting their lives at risk in the process.

Striking employees have been given an ultimatum to either go back to work immediately or be dismissed. The hospital is also enforcing the ‘no work, no pay’ principle.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the doctors, nurses, allied, administration and general staff who continued to provide services and assisted our patients during this period. This is a clear indication that we still have dedicated employees who have the interest of the patients and the community at heart”, said Lukhele.