Healthcare workers have downed tools at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein over staff shortage and health and safety-related issues.
The Free State Department of Health says the illegal strike has affected operations including trauma-casualty antenatal and postnatal areas.
Provincial Department of Health Spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi says they are engaging with the unions to address their grievances.
“Trauma casualty of the main hospital, as well as other clinical areas, are badly affected including the antenatal and postnatal area. The workers are said to be demanding to fill all posts. They are aggrieved about health and safety of employees amongst other issues. The department states that there is no need for the workers to have resorted to an illegal strike that places the lives of patients at risk because some of the grievances are being attended to.”
Major Strike in Pelonomi hospital in Bloemfontein. Patients all alone in wards. Not one nurse in any ward. What kind of hospital is this.
— Lubash (@Lubash15) December 8, 2021
@News24 @SABCNews @DailysunCelebs @eNCA @LesediFM @Umhlobo_Wenene
Pelonomi hospital, right now. pic.twitter.com/53nVeEEaoA— Lindelwa Moiloa (@LindelwaMoiloa) October 18, 2021