The minibus taxi violence that shook the Cape metropole on Thursday has severely impacted the health service delivery. As a result, several health services will be operating at a reduced capacity.
Dr Saadiq Kariem, Chief of Operations says, their top priority remains the safety of staff who, continue to bear the brunt of the violence. Kariem also expressed thanks for the staff’s continuous dedication. The department has since condemned the attacks on staff. During the attack, an Emergency Services staff member was assaulted, the ambulance was torched and several staff members were also attacked including a medical doctor.
“After doing a platform assessment of the overall impact the disruption has had on the safety of transport and our staff, many of our staff have been unable to get to their places of work.”
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, added that while a peaceful protest is a right that needs to be protected, the safety of staff is paramount. Mbombo condemned any act of violence that has taken place since the beginning of the taxi strike. The department urged communities to ensure that healthcare workers are allowed safe passage and protected as healthcare services are dependent on them being at work providing quality healthcare to residents.
“If there are no staff, there are no healthcare services.”
The public is advised of the following service implications on Friday:
Tygerberg, Red Cross and Groote Schuur Hospital
– elective surgery will be postponed.
– only emergency surgery will be conducted.
– outpatients are advised to only attend their appointments if it is safe to do so.
Community Health Centres and Clinics
– Services at all facilities will be available, but with limited capacity.
(Vanguard CHC was closed Thursday night, but is operational today with limited capacity)
Emergency Medical Services
– Access to red zone areas will only be possible with a law enforcement escort, resulting in possible delayed response.
Forensic Pathology Services
– Tygerberg and Salt River forensic pathology services are operational, but the response to scenes will be delayed in red zones as this will also only occur under the protection of law enforcement escorts.
