Four people have died amid ongoing protests by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), Health Minister Joe Phaahla has said.

Phaahla and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko conducted a site visit to Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg on Thursday morning.

He said a government legal team was considering what action to take regarding the deaths, which could be "attributed directly to the strike".

A small group of Nehawu members were seen protesting outside the hospital on Thursday.

Nehawu and several other public servant unions have been locked in a wage dispute with the government.

"We remain concerned about the strike, especially in terms where there are still reports of acts of intimidation," Phaahla said.

On Wednesday night, the Gauteng Department of Health obtained a court interdict preventing Nehawu members from obstructing health services in the province during the strike.

The public sector strike entered its fourth day on Thursday. Some Gauteng hospitals experienced a "total shutdown", and some striking workers ordered staff to leave their posts.

Several patients were discharged without notice at Charlotte Maxeke on Wednesday.

"We can report that all wards and clinics at this facility (Charlotte Maxeke) are operational today (Thursday) at above 90 percent functionality," Phaahla said.

Other Gauteng hospitals that were affected included Kopanong and Sebokeng hospitals in Vereeniging, Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus, and Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Johannesburg, where patients were left unattended as striking workers went into wards and ordered staff out of the facilities.

"The update we got this morning (Thursday) is that Bheki Mlangeni, Kopanong, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane and Helen Joseph hospitals were still experiencing challenges," Phaahla said.

In KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger), north of Durban, on Wednesday, protesters outside General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital attacked a private ambulance transporting a child who was in a critical condition.

News24 previously reported that IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said protesters reportedly attempted to remove the injured child from the ambulance and assaulted one of the paramedics.

The ambulance was eventually able to enter the hospital premises, and the child was admitted and treated.

Gauteng health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the department was left "with no choice" but to seek relief from the courts given the dire impact of the strike at various facilities. He said the lives of patients and staff were under threat.

Phaahla said four other provinces – the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape – also obtained court orders.

"This is a major step forward in the sense that this court is effective. We have received really horrendous stories from staff on how they struggled to get in [to hospitals] to save lives.

"The situation today (Thursday) has improved in many of the facilities as the police have heeded the court order and have come to ensure the safety of everyone, especially the non-striking workers, to attend to their work responsibilities," he added.

He said the department assigned senior managers to all affected districts and health facilities to assess the situation and provide the necessary support.

"All appointments that would not be attended to will be rescheduled and a catch-up programme will have to be in place. Patients who were discharged need to be given enough medications so that we alleviate the pressure on the health system," Phaahla added.