Helen Bishop workers down tools, Douglas health centre running on empty

STAFF at the Helen Bishop Home in Kimberley embarked on strike action this week, suspending their services after promises of payment failed to materialise.

Tyres were set alight outside the centre on May 13, while the police were called to the scene. 

Workers stated that while they were considered to be essential staff, they were hungry and no longer had the strength to continue to care for their vulnerable patients. 

“There is no one inside the centre except management and patients,” the workers said.

Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (Hospersa) provincial chairperson Paul Gras met with the Department of Health last week, as staff have not received their April salaries and future payments remain uncertain.

“The last time staff downed tools, a patient died because only the caregivers knew how to feed him. Workers are tired of false promises,” said Gras.

The Northern Cape Department of Health did not respond to media enquiries. 

Last week, the department indicated that it was engaging with the Helen Bishop Home’s management to resolve the staff remuneration challenges. It stated that it was committed to finalising the necessary administrative processes to ensure the facility met all compliance requirements.

Funds cannot be allocated until the memorandum of understanding has been finalised.

Douglas CHC running on empty

Meanwhile, the Douglas Community Health Centre (CHC), which provides primary health care services including accident, emergency and midwifery care, has reportedly been operating without essential supplies such as food, toilet paper and linen for more than three months.

Nurses said there was no water to clean the facility, do laundry, wash dishes, flush toilets, or even wash their hands.

“This increases the danger of cross-infections as we cannot practise good hygiene practices. Babies are being delivered and patients have to be treated while there is no water supply. The sanitisers that were provided have expired and there is no electricity during load shedding as there is no diesel to fuel the generator. Patients have to bring their own drinking water and food. Some patients feel that they would rather stay at home instead of being neglected and subjected to the conditions at the centre,” the nurses said.

They added that the kitchen was closed as the fridges were empty and food supplies had run out. 

Patients stated that they had to bring their own bedding and blankets.

Hospersa provincial chairperson Paul Gras reported that the hospital beds and mattresses were recently donated to a church. 

“This is a National Health Insurance (NHI) site, and if this is how it operates, it defeats the purpose of universal health care - the standard is shocking. There is no leadership or accountability at the centre,” he said.

The Department of Health again did not respond to media enquiries.