strIke

UPDATE ON HEALTH SERVICES AFFECTED BY THE ONGOING MINIBUS TAXI

STRIKE

10 August 2023

The ongoing minibus taxi strike and associated sporadic violence in certain
areas are continuing to impact the delivery of health services, resulting in staff
being unable to report for work, facilities having to close or operate at
reduced capacity, elective surgeries being postponed, and longer waiting
times at clinics and outpatient departments.

However, we can assure our patients and staff that the Western Cape
Department of Health and Wellness remains committed to their safety and
we are doing our utmost to ensure we continue to provide health services to
the communities we serve. Unfortunately, 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.

We urge staff and the public to please remain vigilant – also please be aware
of false social media messages doing the rounds, which cause much anxiety
for everyone. Please rather look out for official communication on the
situation.

Due to the ongoing minibus taxi strike, the following services are
impacted today:
METRO

Central Hospitals

(Tygerberg, Red Cross and Groote Schuur Hospital)

• Elective surgery remains postponed.

• Only emergency surgery will be conducted.
• Outpatients Departments are open, but patients may have longer waiting times.

District Hospitals

• Karl Bremer Hospital functioning at reduced capacity

• Mitchells Plain Hospital
o Under pressure due to discharged patients who cannot be fetched because
of transport challenges
o Elective surgery postponed.
o Visiting hours cancelled
• Visiting hours cancelled at Lentegeur Hospital and Western Cape Rehab Centre.

Community Health Centres and Clinics in the Metropole

• Inzame Zabantu CDC, Nyanga CDC, Crossroads CDC, Nolungile CDC, and
Gugulethu CHC are closed.
• All other facilities are operating at limited capacity.
• Heideveld CHC EC under strain.
• Du Noon MOU closed until further notice.
• Michael Mapongwana CHC will close at 14:00.

RURAL

Hospitals

• Paarl Hospital functioning at reduced capacity

Community Health Centres and Clinics

• All clinics in Overberg, Garden Route, Central Karoo, West Coast, and Cape
Winelands are open, but patients may have longer waiting times due to reduced
staff.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND FORENSIC PATHOLOGY SERVICES

Emergency Medical Services remain ready to respond to emergencies.

Certain volatile areas will experience a delay in response time as both
ambulances and Forensic Pathology Services have to be escorted by law
enforcement.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure our health staff, facilities, and
patients are kept safe. We appeal to everyone not to damage our health
facilities and vehicles, as we want to continue toprovide medical care.
Our sincere and heartfeltappreciation to our health and other essential
services staff, who have continued where possible to deliver services to those
in need despite significant transport and safety challenges,” saysDr Kariem.

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo,

added: “Any form of violence or forced disruption of health services to our
vulnerable communities are strongly condemned. I am deeply disappointed
in the ongoing violence and damage to our facilities and vehicles, as well as
the continued attacks on the safety of our health staff. As Minister, I reiterate
my call to everyone to allow the safe passage of healthcare workers so that
they can continue to render services to communities. Our system cannot
function without our staff being on the frontlines taking care of patients. We
cannot allow this strike to take away our patients’ right to healthcare
services.”

END

Audio: Dr Saadiq Kariem, Chief of Operations, Western Cape Department of

Health and Wellness

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