Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has interdicted striking workers and prohibited the protesters from damaging properties and intimidation.
The Department said it obtained an interdict at the Johannesburg Labour Court against several unions preventing their members from obstructing the rendering of health services to patients.
“The interim interdict is applicable with immediate effect and prevents striking public servants from assaulting, threatening, intimidating and inciting violence in respect to any employees or staff members across our health facilities,” said the department in a statement.
“It also prohibits the protesters from destroying or damaging any property or preventing free movement or access to health care facilities of any GDoH offices”.
The department confirmed that services were disrupted in Sebokeng Hospital in Sedibeng and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Johannesburg due to the national public service protest action.
“At the CHBAH, the protest action resulted in the cancelation of all elective surgeries planned for the day and only one emergency theatre was operational. The hospital also worked with minimal staff in critical areas including Maternity, Theatres, Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department.
“Sebokeng Hospital also operated with skeleton staff after nurses and doctors, as well as administrative staff were prevented from entering the facility by the protesters,” said the department.
Gauteng Department of Health said it is monitoring the situation and police have been roped in to assist in enforcing the interim order.
The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services personnel were on standby to transport patients with emergencies to alternative facilities.
