The violent Western Cape taxi strike that started a week ago has pulverised the provincial healthcare system, with staff unable to get to work, surgeries postponed and all facilities operating in a limited capacity.
The protests are linked to the impoundment of minibus taxis for traffic violations after the collapse of negotiations with the provincial government.
Tensions escalated on 1 August when taxi operators staged a spontaneous protest in the CBD, during which drivers clashed with the police.
The Department of Health & Wellness has condemned the strike and the ensuing attacks on personnel, saying its priority remained “the safety of our staff who continue to bear the brunt of the violence”.
Last week an Emergency Services employee was assaulted and the ambulance set alight, reports Daily Maverick.
“Several staff have also been attacked, including a doctor,” said Dr Saadiq Kariem, the chief of operations.
Services at a number of metro facilities have been severely curtailed, with elective surgeries postponed and only emergency procedures being undertaken, he added.
Community health centres and clinics are available only with limited capacity, while ambulance and EMS personnel will only travel to red-zone areas with law enforcement escorts, resulting in possible delayed responses.
Western Cape EMS spokesperson Megan Davids said areas like the N2, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Langa and Khayelitsha had been heavily affected, reports Health-e News.
“Some areas became so volatile that EMS could only enter with official law enforcement escorts, but when they’ve been busy controlling the protesting crowds, there have been times where we have unfortunately not able to enter certain areas,” she said.
No theft of equipment or vehicles could be confirmed, EMS staff and vehicles on the road had been targeted.
“Protesters attacked a HealthNet vehicle on the N2, with one of the staff and the patient being violently removed before it was torched.”
Clinic under attack
Staff at the Vanguard Community Health Clinic in Bonteheuwel were reportedly traumatised after gun-wielding protesters stormed the facility and it had to close.
The incident had occurred after a taxi driver was injured in a scuffle in Langa.
“He was brought here and treated, then … whoever they were, came and bombarded the hospital and made it impossible to deliver services,” said a doctor.
Staff were threatened and attacked, he added, and ultimately a decision was taken to close the facility.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) said it was concerned about staff safety, that the strike would have huge consequences for many healthcare workers.
“Many nurses who are obviously essential service personnel are not able to go to work because they don’t have transport,” said Denosa spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo. The situation was also risky for those with their own transport.
The strike was due to continue until yesterday (9 August).
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