161 Frail Older Persons at Risk

Workers down tools leaving patients in the lurch

Staff members of Shiluvane Hospital downed tools last Wednesday demanding that the Department of Social Development terminates the contract with Life Esidimeni.

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Joined by community members they blocked the gate and kicked management out of the hospital.

The workers said their problem started way back and they have been engaging with the department since 2014.

The claim that they are being overworked and underpaid.

Spokesperson for the department, Adele van der Linde, said they know the situation and they have been engaging with the workers for years now.

“They know that we have a contract with Life Esidimeni and one does not simply terminate a contract. Terminating the contract will only cost the government money. It is not something that we can do, there are legal implications,” she said.

She said they are aware that Life Esidimeni has breached the contract and they have given them a chance to remedy, therefore there is no reason for the community to close down the hospital.

During their protest the patients were left unattended and they were not given any food. One of the patients said they last had food the previous night.

“We were given four slices of brown bread last night. They left us here with no food and medicine, the strike is inconveniencing our health,” said the patient who did not want to be identified.

“We are concerned about the patients who are not being attended to,” added Adele.

Samuel Shiluvana, head of the Shiluvana Task Team said they gave Life Esidimeni 30 days to remedy the agreement but the 30 days have since elapsed.

“The department has promised to come and give a report, but they have not done so. They are playing games with us,” he said.

One of the employees said they are tired of working under Life Esidimeni.

“Ever since I started working here, I have never gotten any bonus and there is no increase. I cannot even take my children to university,” she said.

The angry community members stopped the media from talking to regional manager for Life Esidimeni, David Moshabe, who later referred the media to contact the head office for comments.

Healthcare Services Operations Executive, Dr Nilesh Patel, said Life Esidimeni sincerely regrets the demonstration and is currently engaging with the department to normalise the situation to gain access to the facility and allow employees to continue providing healthcare services that the 161 frail care patients are accustomed to.