Calls for army to step in at Tshepong hospital in NW

The Department of Health in North West says it is in discussion with the South African Defense Force (SANDF) to assist at the protest-plagued Tshepong hospital in Klerksdorp.

This comes after protesters, wearing National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) shirts, prevented barred patients and health workers from accessing the facility.  

The department is under administration after services were disrupted by months of no work by officials affiliated to Nehawu and other unions.

The striking workers are calling for the suspension of the Head of Department and for Premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down.

North West Department of Health's Tebogo Lekgethwane says a number of nurses at the hospital have not been able to report for duty for several days, putting the lives of patients at risk.

"We have been working on a skeleton staff because some of them were blocked at the gate of the hospital."

Lekgethwane says this poses a great challenge to the hospital, as the number of patients outweighs the number of health workers at the hospital.

He adds the protest has also lead to the death of a protester, who was shot in the head.

"The ambulance couldn't get to that person on time. By the time it arrived back at the Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital, it was very late to save that person."

Nehawu could not be reached for comment.