As cases spike, unions create chaos at Eastern Cape’s Livingstone Hospital
Morale is also low, with more than 100 vacant doctors and nurses posts, meaning each medical professional is doing the work of three people
15 June 2020 - 06:00
From Wuhan to New York, hospitals across the world have resembled warzones as they’ve been overwhelmed by an influx of Covid-19 patients. But as cases begin to spike in the Eastern Cape, the province’s state-run Livingstone Hospital has instead become the site of a trade union-led laundry war.
The academic hospital in Port Elizabeth has 26 Covid-19 patients and, as the primary site where people who contract the coronavirus are due to be treated, it’s bracing for many more. But in recent days, the hospital has been a mess, with litter strewn in the corridors. Worse: the casualty ward had to be closed in the middle of last week, as blood remained uncleaned on the floor...
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.