A day after being promised their overtime money would be paid early in February, Dora Nginza Hospital staff went on strike again, this time burning several tyres outside.
Nurses reluctant to take part in the protest were also plucked from their wards, leaving patients to mop floors and fend for themselves.
The protest, which started on Monday afternoon, has since become so out of control that the Eastern Cape health department said it would be sending a team to address the situation.
The operating theatre was also out of use.
The strike is related to nurses claiming they have not been paid for additional hours worked.
They have reportedly not been paid since October.
Health communications director Siyanda Manana said the department was disappointed by what had transpired.
“The Eastern Cape health department has learnt with disappointment of the illegal, wildcat and unprocedural actions by workers at Dora Nginza Hospital, where the workers blockaded the gate, denying both patients and staff access to the premises,” he said.
“We have also heard reports of staff being forced out of the wards by the striking employees, and the kitchen being closed, which in turn denied patients food.
“This is in direct violation of the constitution of this country and we strongly condemn this ungovernability.”
Manana said they would take action.
“We assure the public that there will be consequences,” he said.
“A team has been sent to the Nelson Mandela Bay district to address the situation at the hospital.
“We want to make it clear that we condemn the actions of the employees at Dora Nginza and assure the public that we will be decisive in addressing this ungovernability.”
Two doctors, who did not want to be identified, said the theatre was out of operation for the duration of the strike.
They also provided videos showing how patients were being made to mop floors.
On Tuesday evening, after another morning of strike action, health spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said the department would authorise the overtime payment to Dora Nginza staff in February.
“This will be processed in the next run of February 5,” he was quoted as saying.
“Their overtime money will appear in the workers’ bank accounts on February 10.”
The Herald
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