Bisho – More than 60 healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape could not open on Thursday, (2 May 2024), because of the taxi strike, the Eastern Cape Department of Health said.
“Healthcare workers could not get to work because of blocked roads, resulting in clinics unable to open,” the department said.
“This is while some sections of some hospitals had to operate with a skeleton staff.
“Facilities in Buffalo City Metro were the most affected as 54 clinics could not open.”
The taxi strike was linked to scholar transport operators who withdrew services over outstanding invoice payments.
Taxi operators blocked the roads using their minibus taxis and trucks, over alleged non-payment of scholar transport claims since the start of the year.
The health department said in East London, 21 clinics could not open while in Qonce/Bhisho area and Mdantsane, 20 and 13 clinics respectively did not open because staff could not get to work because of blocked roads.
The Mount Coke Community Health Centre also could not open.
“At Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, patient administration, general OPDs, laundry, and maintenance unit were negatively affected by the strike as not every worker could report for duty because of blocked roads,” the department said.
“Theatre has had to prioritise emergency cases.
“Teaching and learning also could not take place at the East London Lilitha College of Nursing campus.”
In Chris Hani district, workers at Ngcobo Community Health Centre were intimidated and illegally instructed to leave the facility in 30 minutes, resulting in the facility being closed.
The All Saints Gateway Clinic also could not open its doors on Thursday.
Alfred Nzo district facilities were unaffected by the strike. However, Meje Community Health Centre in Mbizana could not open because of an unrelated protest.
In OR Tambo, only Nkanga Clinic was affected by an unrelated protest.
Staff were forced to do administrative work as roads to the facility were closed.
Patients were also illegally removed by protesters in the morning.
MEC for Health Nomakhosazana Meth condemned the blocking of roads that lead to health facilities.
“People must not infringe on other people’s rights when they exercise their right to protest,” said MEC Meth.
“Healthcare workers provide essential services that can mean life or death at times, so it can’t be that they are prevented from getting to work.
“Luckily there have been no adverse effects as a result of the blockading of roads.
“When such protests affect our facilities, service delivery will be affected.
“In some cases, people have to travel long distances to get health services because the clinics closer to them are not operational.”
There have been no reported disruptions at Sarah Baartman, Nelson Mandela Bay, Amathole and Joe Gqabi districts.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said there were challenges, some technical while others were beyond the department’s control.
The taxi strike also affected learners, workers, and ordinary motorists travelling to other centres.
“Some [challenges] emanate from the ongoing discussions with the taxi industry where we were pleading with them back in January/February to sign contracts to facilitate payments,” said Binqose.
“However, there was stalling on their side which partly contributed to the problems we are faced with now.
“It is not related to the unavailability of funds.”
In a statement, SANRAL apologised to motorists for “any inconvenience the strike has caused”.
