The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson Dr Kenneth Jacobs has called for government and labour unions to settle wage disputes which have been accompanied by ongoing strikes and reported violence in hospitals across the country.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and other unions are striking owing to a wage dispute. There have been reports of violence and intimidation from striking members. 

Jacobs argued that due consideration needed to be given to "desperately sick, hospitalised South Africans", who were unable to have surgeries and access dispensaries. 

“They should not be prevented from receiving healthcare services, due to the ongoing disruptive strike,” he said. 

Further, he noted this disruption would entail an infringement of the constitutional right to healthcare that all South Africans were entitled to.

Given the importance of their work, Jacobs contended that healthcare workers should not be impeded from going back to work. 

He urged “the parties, Nehawu and the employer, to find immediate solutions to the dispute".

The Parliamentary Committee on Health said while the rights of public sector employees were being advocated for in accordance with the labour laws of the country, healthcare was an essential service and it was crucial that healthcare workers were able to do their work without the threat of violence or intimidation. 

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) board said it was concerned about the impact of the strike, particularly the reports of violence, which it pointed out severely affected patient care and safety, and destroyed healthcare infrastructure and equipment. 

“Notwithstanding the labour unrest in progress, all public or private health establishments are required to adhere to policy priorities of providing safety, security as well as acceptable standards of care. Even though it is a protected labour strike, and the right of healthcare workers to strike is respected, this right must not trample upon the rights of the users of healthcare services,” said OHSC director of communications and stakeholder relations Ricardo Mahlakanya. 

In light of the challenges imposed on the healthcare sector, the OHSC urges health professionals to continue adhering to ethical standards and to serve their communities diligently.