South Africa’s public service strike is leading to treatment interruptions for some people with HIV, the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society said yesterday in a statement, as the Department of Health moved to sack public sector workers who have been out on strike for twelve days.
In Khayelitsha, where thousands are receiving antiretrovirals through public sector clinics, 41 striking healthcare workers have been dismissed, most of them working at the same hospital. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) said today that it was discussing with unions ways to avoid disruption of chronic and emergency services. “We oppose any disruption of such services,” said Zackie Achmat and Sipho Mthathi, TAC’s chairperson and general secretary, in a letter to government.
Healthcare workers are barred from striking in South Africa by law. Three hundred and eighty workers had been dismissed in Gauteng province by Tuesday night, many of them auxiliary staff such as porters, cooks and cleaners.
TAC condemned the sackings, and said that it is seeking an emergency interdict to prevent the sackings in Western Cape. TAC leaders urged the government to conclude wage negotiations with public service workers so that health care services can return to normal.
The South African public service workers are striking because government pay offers have barely kept pace with inflation for many grades. President Thabo Mbeki has admitted that health care workers need to be paid more, but unions have rejected the latest government offer of 7.25%. Inflation in South Africa is currently running at 6.25%. Union leaders say they want a 10% wage increase.
On Wednesday COSATU, the South African trade union federation, organised a national sympathy strike designed to bring the country to a standstill. The public service strike began on June 1st.
The Southern African HIV Clinicians has advised patients that some HIV clinics are running emergency dispensing services and patients may be able to get medication as the strike continues. It also advises patients to take their empty pill bottles to private doctors or pharmacies in the hope of obtaining refills.
"Consequences of stopping antiretroviral drugs include continued immune deterioration, so people with low CD4 counts should make every effort to restart immediately once clinics become functional again".