In a recent turn of events, government says it has revised its 7% pay offer to 8.5%. But the National Education Health and Allied Workers’€™ Union (NEHAWU), which represents most striking health sector workers, says government is playing mind games and is confusing workers and the public. Nehawu says it will not accept the offer, opting to continue striking until government gives in to its demand of a 8.6% pay hike and a housing allowance of R1000.

If the protest action does not end, citizens will continue experiencing a lack of services, particularly in hospitals. Last week, it was reported that only one nursing sister was at work in the neo-natal ward of Sebokeng Hospital caring for 42 babies. On our visit this week, we were greeted by a heavy police presence ready for any eventuality. All of the wards were closed and there was no one at reception. The hospital had been deserted by both workers and patients.

An elderly woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she had come in to get her medication for Diabetes and High blood when she was told to return at a later stage.

‘€œWe are in serious danger right now. I arrived before 8 this morning. We were told to sit and wait. Then, suddenly, we get told that best we go because there is no one who is working at all. We asked them when we should come back because we need this treatment, we are sick, and they simply told us to return when the strike was over and they didn’€™t give us a date’€.

She went on to say that without her medication she is afraid that something terrible might happen to her.

‘€œWhere do I get that R200 for a private doctor? High blood and diabetes together with no treatment spells serious danger. If I were to collapse while at home where will the ambulance take me?’€, she asked.

Another elderly woman who was scheduled for a check-up after an eye operation last week was promised to be helped on Monday. However, much to her surprise she was again turned away.

‘€œI was here for an eye operation last week, then, I came back on Friday for a check-up with the doctor. On the same day we were interrupted and told to go home and that we should return on Monday. People were just rushing out of the hospital on Friday’€.

The elderly woman says they were promised to be helped this week but this has not happened. Instead, she says they were advised to go home.

Despite the court interdict obtained by the Gauteng Provincial Government and national government ordering essential services to return to work, hundreds of strikers were still waiting on the entrances of hospitals around the country.

The interdict also warns the striking workers not to intimidate those who wish to help the needy. At Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, just over a hundred healthcare workers were standing outside. Asked if the lives of patients were not being put at risk, Nehawu’€™s Soweto Co-ordinator, Motantsi Losaba had this to say.

‘€œWe do apologise for the inconvenience caused, but the situation is not of our making. If the employer could have reached us somewhere, then, we would avoid the situation. But they never wanted to reach us half-way in terms of salaries we’€™re earning’€.

Losaba denied any incidences of intimidation at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital since the strike started. And, he says they are not backing down from their demand. ‘€œWe are waiting for our 8.6%. Without that, it’€™s really unfortunate’€, said Losaba.

Patients, on the other hand, say they understand the reason for the strike, but they also argue that their health should be taken into consideration.

‘€œThey have to think about our rights too. I agree that they are fighting for better pay, but why can’€™t they help us? Where am I going to go? I’€™m telling you many people are going to die’€, said one patient.

Meanwhile, health professionals from the South African National Defence Force have been deployed to over 30 hospitals around the country to help close the gaps. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu has also urged health workers to return to work.