Health-care workers have been going beyond the call of duty to deliver essential services despite being hampered by a crippling and violent taxi strike.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) launched the strike last week because the City has impounded 6000 taxis since the start of the year, according to Santaco provincial chairperson Mandla Hermanus.
Opportunistic violence fuelled by the strike has seen several health facilities closed or operating at a reduced capacity and some have also been damaged, according to provincial health department chief of operations Dr Saadiq Kariem.
“Facilities situated in areas that are not deemed safe will be closed. The violence has also escalated to certain rural areas, meaning a reduced service will also be implemented in these areas as our staff cannot make their way to work because of transport disruptions and safety concerns,” he said.
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital were only able to do emergency operations while elective surgeries were postponed, according to the department.
Children’s hospital CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo said many of her staff had been unable to travel to work since Monday August 7 due to road closures and violence. Those who had made it had volunteered overnight to provide patients with care and treatment.
“Our facility has made provisions to accommodate staff on the premises and has made offers of meals for staff away from home,” she said.
The provincial health department was providing staff with counselling through an employee-wellness programme, she said.
The hospital has advised outpatients to only attend their appointments if it is safe to do so.
“Our teams on the ground are, however, as committed as always to providing our in-patients with the highest quality treatment and care,” said Dr Parbhoo.
The Robin Trust, a Pinelands non-profit organisation that cares for the elderly, started providing accommodation on site for its health-care workers at the start of the strike last Thursday.
Robin Trust marketing manager Aletia Ritter said 15 staff were sleeping at the Pinelands premises.
Ms Ritter said some home-based carers were staying at their patients’ homes.
“Our Oude Molen Eco Village members all got involved and brought food. The community of Pinelands started collecting food. We got bedding from businesses and private people in the village.”
A backpackers lodge loaned mattresses to Robin Trust for its staff, many of whom come from some of the areas hardest hit by the strike: Khayelitsha, Dunoon, Mitchell’s Plain, Philippi and Nyanga.
Ms Ritter said staff were exhausted as they had been unable to change shifts.
“Some staff were basically on duty the whole time since this started. Due to the extra mouths we had to feed and the toiletries we had to buy, we have taken a severe hit.
“I know our staff are looking forward to returning to their families and we are grateful for everyone who assisted in keeping them safe.”
Dr Kariem urged the public to help protect and support health-care staff and facilities as they provided medical care to everyone.
“Our deep appreciation is conveyed to health and other essential services staff, who have continued where possible to deliver services to those in need,” he said.
