Health
With regard to the recent strike carried out by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu):
(a) What additional costs did her Department incur during the strike as a result of (i) moving patients to alternative facilities where necessary, (ii) paying overtime to non-striking staff to work longer hours and (iii) hiring additional security and (b)(i) what other costs were incurred and (ii) what are the reasons for this expense?
- (i) None. Patients were transferred via our Emergency Medical Services’ inter-facility transfer service.
(ii) None. Although some form of intimidation occurred at Khayelitsha Hospital, which led to brief disruption of staff entering the hospital, staff continued to work their normal shift hours. As a precaution, critical patients were transferred to nearby facilities so as to not compromise their health but ensure they receive continued medical care.
(ii) None. No agency or additional security was hired. We strengthened our security at the two affected institutions (Khayelitsha Hospital and Michael Mapongwana CDC) to ensure the safety of our patients and our staff. Our Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC) remained functional to respond to any threat at our facilities in conjunction with our security services, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies including the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme (LEAP) officers from the reaction unit.
- (i) None.
(ii) Not applicable as there was no additional expenses.
