Only 200 of an expected 5 000 residents marched on the Natalspruit hospital in Katlehong on Monday afternoon to demand a response to a memorandum handed to the hospital’s management last month.
Residents are aggrieved at the alarming number of children who have died at the hospital, east of Johannesburg, in recent months, as well as the resignation of skilled doctors and nurses over low morale and poor working conditions.
They are also concerned at the ”lack of leadership” shown by the hospital’s chief executive, Daisy Pekane.
One of the marchers, Patricia Mkani, said nothing seems to be going right at the hospital.
”My friends, they are crying about this hospital,” she said as she filled up a water bottle and hurried to join the marchers at the gates of the hospital.
The protesters — barred from the entering the hospital premises — stood outside the gates chanting, toyi-toying and waving placards.
A memorandum, read out by one of the organisers, called for an investigation into the misconduct and mismanagement of the hospital.
”The CEO of Natalspruit hospital, Dr Daisy Pekane, has deliberately on several occasions denied the community access to health services,” the memorandum charged.
Another protester, Audrey Hlako — who is HIV-positive — complained that the staff refused to attend to her on the three occasions when she visited the hospital.
”I came here three times and they didn’t give me medicine. They said I must stay home and eat healthy food.”
The marchers handed over the memorandum to a hospital spokesperson who promised to forward it to Gauteng health minister Gwen Ramakgopa.
The marchers had dispersed peacefully by 2pm. — Sapa