JOHANNESBURG – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has described the protest at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital as unacceptable and says arrests need to be made.
The minister visited the Johannesburg facility following the chaotic scenes during the strike.
Earlier Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa confirmed a doctor was assaulted during Thursday’s strike at the hospital.
Ramokgopa visited the Johannesburg facility on Thursday afternoon following hundreds of protesters who forced patients out of the hospital, damaged equipment and infrastructure and blocked entrances.
Staff are striking because they are demanding higher wages and bonuses they claim is owed to them since 2016.
They have threatened to bring services at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital to a standstill if the government ignores them.
[WATCH] Protesting staff at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital have strewn trash from rubbish bins in the corridors, others kick the trash as they go along.#CharlotteMaxeke pic.twitter.com/4xpKZmLOr3
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 31, 2018
The MEC said she’s disappointed by the behaviour of some staff members.
“The theatre was thrashed beyond the red light where we have to be sterile. At the pharmacy, the doors were kicked. Patients were left traumatised as well as without their medication.”
#CharlotteMaxeke Entrance being blocked again as the protest continues. CE pic.twitter.com/TxhAXK6bjU
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 31, 2018
#CharlotteMaxeke Patients being forced to leave the pharmacy. CE pic.twitter.com/OdVdyxXAS6
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 31, 2018
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union provincial chair Lulamile Sibanda said their demands include payment of bonuses and increases dating back to 2016.
“Members here, are rejecting the current offer, and are demanding outstanding bonuses dating back to 2016/17 financial year.”
The union has threatened if their demands aren’t met by 3rd of June, they will be a strike that will bring the Gauteng province healthcare system to a standstill.
Photo Credit- BusinessLIVE
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