- A pregnant woman whose water broke waited more than a day for a doctor to perform an emergency caesarean section.
- The Eastern Cape health department has moved some patients to other places and opened police cases against the striking workers.
Patients and their families are struggling to get help at Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha. Staff at the hospital are on strike.
One family said their pregnant relative waited more than 24 hours after her water broke. She needed an emergency caesarean section. The hospital did not transfer her to another place.
The woman was in pain and already in labour. Doctors told her to wait and said things might get better if staff returned. Her family said she had not eaten. They were told she was not an urgent case unless she got worse.
Another family shared a similar story. A woman scheduled for a caesarean section went into labour while waiting for her operation. A doctor said she might have to give birth naturally because no staff were available.
A video posted online on Thursday shows patients lying unattended in wards. A man who was visiting his relative filmed the video. There are also claims that a dead body was left in a ward.
Last year, videos of pregnant women lying on the floor at the same hospital were shared widely online.
The Eastern Cape health department said the strike is unlawful and puts patients at risk.
Provincial health spokesperson Siyanda Manana said on Friday the department knows about the staff’s concerns and takes them seriously.
“The department emphasises that such actions are not in the best interests of patients, communities, or the broader public health system,” he said.
Manana said the department moved some patients to other hospitals and sent extra staff where possible.
He said the department will not pay striking workers. The department opened police cases for intimidation and will suspend workers. Manana said the department will talk to staff only when the strike ends. The reason for the strike is still unknown.
Pictured above: Staff protest at Dora Nginza Hospital as strike action disrupts services in Gqeberha.
Image source: Supplied
