KZN Health interdicts strike Nehawu workers from blocking patients
The KZN Health MEC has ordered striking Nehawu
members to stop blocking access to health care in the province.
Nomagugu Simelane says they've roped in law enforcement teams as part of efforts to tighten security at hospitals, clinics, and health care centres.
There have been multiple disruptions to operations because of the three-day work stoppage by healthcare staff belonging to Nehawu.
"In Prince Mshyeni Hospital we were able to stop people from coming until some people were pretending to be patients and only when they got inside," says Simelane.
"They tried to intimidate our workers and we had to intervene and move them out. So, the biggest problem we had today (Wednesday) was in Grey's Hospital, but it wasn't the only hospital. We had a problem in Harry Gwala and Northdale Hospital where people couldn't come in."
Simelane says striking workers who prevent people from entering hospitals have those patients' blood on their hands.
Security personnel had to intervene at Stanger Hospital on Wednesday when striking nurses assaulted paramedics transporting a child who was in critical condition to the facility.
READ: Striking KZN nurses accused of blocking ambulance ferrying critical child
Nehawu's demanding a 10% pay hike and an increase in housing allowances.
The government has put a 4.7% offer on the table.
