Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Three weeks after the Knysna EFF's protest action involving the local hospital and Food Lover's Market on Workers' Day (1 May), there is still no clear outcome as to how the establishments will answer the party’s demands as contained in memorandums that were handed over.

Among the issues at the hospital are claims of unprofessionalism, racism towards patients and unhealthy diets for patients, and the demand for clinics to be open 24 hours a day.

As reported last week, a meeting had been scheduled between Western Cape health minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo and EFF provincial leader Bernard Joseph for Tuesday 15 May.

More protests planned
When asked if the health department had offered any solutions to the EFF's issues, Joseph said, "Mbombo could not respond adequately during the meeting, and we are currently awaiting a written response."

He reiterated that the EFF would not let issues at healthcare institutions countrywide go unnoticed. "We already have numerous protests scheduled in different areas around the Western Cape for the coming weeks, and we will not rest until the various issues are addressed," he said.

The meeting was aimed at addressing issues at all facilities where there had been service delivery protests by the EFF, according to Mbombo's spokesperson Colleen Smart – not only Knysna hospital's issues.

The EFF march reaches the Knysna Provincial Hospital on 1 May. Photo: Stefan Goosen 

WC rejects disruptive actions
In a press release following the meeting, Mbombo rejected and condemned the actions of EFF members at health facilities across the Western Cape, but she did not elaborate on the meeting and discussions between the parties.

“We cannot condone disruptions of an already overburdened system in the very setting where health workers are delivering the services,” she said. “We continue to face a growing population, changing burden of disease, stagnant economic growth, and a sharp increase in the number of interpersonal violence cases. These factors all contribute to service pressures in health, as more and more people present to our health facilities.”

EFF members take on police as they arrive at Food Lover's Market, and police prohibit them from entering the grocer's parking lot. Soon after a moment of madness erupted.

Other avenues for complaints
Mbombo further encouraged patients to make use of her department’s anonymous complaints hotline when they are unhappy about service delivery, adding that other avenues are hospital boards and clinic committees. “These bodies are there to ensure the voice of the community is heard,” she said.

“We agree with the EFF that the interests of patients should come first, but health is too important to become a political toy. We need to focus on how to work together to improve the health of our citizens in the Western Cape,” concluded Mbombo’s press release.

• There has been no feedback from Food Lover's Market, said EFF regional coordinator Diswayne Maarman. This was corroborated by provincial leader Joseph on Tuesday 22 May. "We are still waiting for feedback and I would like to see an official response from them," he said.

The issues at the popular grocer include claims by employees of discrimination and racism, among others.

On Tuesday, Wilhelm Hanekom of Food Lover's Market management gave the same response as a week earlier, saying they had no comment.

EFF leadership watch as Dr Earle du Plooy, the medical manager of the Knysna and Bitou health subdistricts, receive the memorandum at Knysna hospital on 1 May.