Health workers’ strike blamed for South Africa death

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South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla has disclosed that the death of at least four patients can be “attributed directly” to an on-going nationwide strike action by health workers.

 

He has warned that this number may grow, as his team continues to assess clinical reports and visit affected health centres.

 

Strike action by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) from last week saw the shutdown of some hospitals, with workers being violently barred from entering and patients in need of care being turned away.

 

The army has now been deployed to key hospital entrance points to stop the intimidation of workers and to ensure hospitals can remain operational.

 

Nehawu has, however, refuted claims that patient deaths can be blamed on their strike action.

 

The union’s general-secretary, Zola Sephetha, told local TV station eNCA that the strike “has never killed anyone, and the government is accountable for whatever happens at the hospitals”.

 

Public service workers – including medical personnel – have vowed to intensify their strike as it enters its second week.

 

They have rejected the government’s 4.7% wage hike offer, demanding 10% instead.

 

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Francis Ogwo
The young and goal driven writer and cinematographer started his journalism as a print journalist in Kaduna in 2005 writing for Kaduna Chronicles Newspapers, Liberator Newspapers where he became the South Bureau Chief. In 2008, he moved into TV production with an employment into Siverbird Television and Rhythm Fm as a Correspondent. He got certified by Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria(ITPAN) in 2009. After five years of hardwork and training, he was employed as Associate Producer, Moments With Mo and subsequently Producer, Playground on HipTV. Francis currently majors in documentaries and high profile scripts for news and movies. He is currently a Senior Contents Producer at News Central TV

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