Strike cripples Rob Ferreira Hospital (video)

Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga is on the brink of collapse following the shocking discovery of decomposing bodies in the corridors when its staff members downed tools.

On Friday, striking staff members reportedly closed all entrances and exits to and from the hospital, while preventing ambulances from bringing in patients who required emergency care, Mpumalanga Newsreported.

The strikers’ demands include new uniforms, cleaning materials and compensation for overtime worked.

An anonymous source, who works at the hospital, said the decomposing bodies had been lying around for four days.

Covered with a sheet, and flies hovering around, the smell of the bodies was said to be overwhelming, with puss and blood dripping from it, said the source.

The hospital had been described as being a health hazard, as food and other rubbish were seen scattered everywhere.

This after strikers allegedly opened taps and flooded various floors.

Several police officials had been deployed to the hospital to keep an eye on the situation, as the strike turned violent on Monday afternoon.

Dr Leif Brauteseth, a psychiatrist, reportedly sustained injuries when he tried to remove a pole in front of the gate.

Brauteseth called the protesters “ignorant”, saying that the blame was to be placed “at the door of corrupt suppliers.”

“I completely agree with the reasons behind the strike, it’s just a pity that they are too ignorant to know what they are striking about,” he said.

EFF ward representative Cyril Chuene had been at the hospital, where he demanded answers from both the CEO and hospital manager, who both denied that there was a crisis.

In a separate incident, Staff members at the Mecklenburg Hospital in Limpopo embarked on a strike earlier this year.

Unlike the crisis at Rob Ferreira Hospital, services continued as normal, as doctors were working and only some of the nurses were on strike.

– Caxton News Service