Patients suffer as NEHAWU strike continues
NEHAWU members are upset about a 2% wage increase promised to them by government in October last year, which they still have not received.
POLOKWANE – Patients at various healthcare facilities, including the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital, were met by picketing employees, effectively denying them access to the facilities on Friday (24 March).
This picketing was done by employees who are part of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), who are upset about a 2% wage increase promised to them by government in October last year.
A staff shortage exists at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital and the picketing action by the NEHAWU members further exacerbated the situation with some people volunteering to help the people in the hospital wherever they could.
The sister of a patient in the hospital spoke to BONUS on condition of anonymity about her concerns.
“My sister did not receive any food the whole day. It was only when we managed to get into the hospital during visiting hours that we heard she had not eaten and brought her food. This is worrisome as it means that if she gets her medication, she will have to take it on an empty stomach. She also receives blood transfusions but the drip is not properly inserted which causes the precious blood to spill on the floor. She also has to get antibiotics through the blood drip but I am not sure if the medication even manages to find its way into her system,” the woman said.
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An ambulance driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BONUS that ambulance drivers who are part of NEHAWU are also part of the picketing action. “We will not work until we get our increase as was promised,” he said. NEHAWU Provincial Secretary, Jacob Adams, said the members are demanding the 2% wage increase, until then, they will not return to work. “We will gladly return to work once it has been implemented, until then we will picket for our rights,” Adams said.
He added that although they feel sorry for patients, they cannot work under-paid.
“There are other unions within the hospital that are not on strike and they are able to assist the patients. Nurses and doctors who belong to other unions are working and assisting patients. Patients are not being neglected, they are just not attended to immediately,” Adams said. He strongly believes if government persists in breaking their promises, the picketing will proceed to other departments as well. Department of Health Spokesperson, Derick Kganyago, said the department apologise, both to the patients and employees, for the current situation. “We are investigating the matter and hope to have the matter resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
