KZN Health condemns vigilante protest blocking hospital access
Berea Mail reports that since the start of July, members of the March and March movement have stationed themselves at the gates of the hospital, checking the identity documents of people entering the government healthcare facility.
March and March Durban leader Teresa Nortje said they were assisting government and healthcare workers at the South Beach-based hospital, which is 'overwhelmed by foreign nationals'.
'We are enforcing Section 17 of the South African Constitution,' said Nortje. 'If you want to use the clinic, you need to be a South African citizen and a valid taxpayer.' Non-South Africans are reportedly turned away and denied entry to the hospital.
Health department condemns protest
In a statement, the department condemned this, along with 'the actions of individuals and organised groups who take the law into their own hands by targeting health facilities and obstructing access to services'.
According to KZN Health: 'As much as the department expresses concern over the undue burden placed on the system by undocumented migrants, we strongly reject unlawful actions that prevent any sick individual from receiving medical assistance. No member of the public or structure has the legal or moral authority to block others from accessing healthcare. These illegal actions are not only unconstitutional, but they also pose a serious risk to public health.'
The department also addressed the issue of undocumented foreign nationals, stating: 'We unequivocally condemn undocumented foreign nationals who unlawfully cross into South Africa with the sole intention of unduly accessing our public health services. While our health institutions remain committed to upholding basic human rights and ethical healthcare standards, the increasing and unauthorised influx of undocumented individuals continues to place significant pressure on our already strained and underfunded public health system.'
Healthcare rights outlined
The Witness reports that KZN is currently battling outbreaks of measles, seasonal influenza, and new Covid-19 variants.
'Every sick person must be assessed and managed by health professionals, regardless of nationality,' said the department.
It cited legislation guaranteeing access to health services:
Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees the right to healthcare and emergency medical treatment for all.
The National Health Act 61 of 2003 provides for access to primary healthcare, regardless of immigration status.
The Refugees Act 130 of 1998 protects the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, including their right to medical care.
The Immigration Act 13 of 2002 allows facilities to inquire about legal status but prohibits withholding emergency treatment.
Mixed public reaction
Berea Mail reports mixed reactions to the movement's protest, with some calling the campaign inhumane while others supported the cause.
Crispin Hemson, a Durban resident who visited Addington Hospital, said: 'At the entrance my way was obstructed by unidentified people who were asking for IDs. I asked them what gave them the right to do this, and they said they were not allowing foreigners through, claiming Section 17 of the Constitution prohibited foreigners from using public hospitals. In reality, the Constitution does not state this at all. Section 17 is about the right to peaceful protest and states nothing about health facilities.'
Conversely, Amanda Khuzwayo, who attended the Gateway clinic, said she was in and out within two hours. 'There used to be long queues and now it's quiet. This goes to show who was really benefiting from the clinic. It is sad that people are being turned away, but the results of the campaign speak for themselves.'
Clarity on ID requirement confusion
Meanwhile, The Witness reports the eThekwini Municipality has addressed social media confusion over a clinic notice that appeared to suggest patients without identity documents would be turned away.
In a clarification, the City confirmed that ID requests are standard administrative practice during a first visit to open a patient file but are not a condition for receiving care.
'Once a file has been opened, patients are not required to bring their ID for future visits,' the statement read.
The Department of Health has called on law enforcement agencies to act decisively against anyone obstructing access to health services and urged residents to raise concerns through lawful channels.
'Disrupting services endangers lives — especially those of vulnerable South Africans in critical condition — and undermines the very essence of public healthcare delivery.'
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
Why ignoring bullying is like bandaging a deep wound: the scars run deeper
If you or your child needs help, reach out to your school counsellor, talk to a trusted teacher, or contact Childline South Africa. Even more alarming: one in three South African teenagers is a victim of cyberbullying, where group chats, doctored photos and social media shaming extend humiliation far beyond the school gates, leaving no safe space. Once brushed off as a 'rite of passage,' bullying now affects an estimated 40% of school-going children, according to research from the Department of Basic Education. In playgrounds, WhatsApp groups and school corridors across South Africa, bullying isn't just a playground drama; it's a silent crisis reshaping children's mental health, social life and future relationships. 'We're not just dealing with bruises anymore,' warns Dr Alicia Porter, psychiatrist and board member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). Porter adds, 'Children become anxious, depressed, and sometimes even suicidal. The psychological wounds often last far longer than the physical ones.' Children who are bullied often hide what's happening, only speaking out after repeated trauma. What's left behind is deep: loss of self-esteem, academic decline, social withdrawal and sometimes self-harm. Porter says the real tragedy is that these aren't just childhood memories. 'We see adults still haunted by bullying decades later, struggling with trust issues, PTSD, anxiety and relationship challenges. These are psychological injuries, not just stories from the past.' A 2022 study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children who are frequently bullied have double the risk of developing clinical depression by adulthood. That's a generational wound, and it's one South Africa can't afford to ignore. The different faces of bullying While bullying cuts across gender, age and race, Porter explains that the forms it takes can differ: Boys often experience physical bullying, such as shoving, fighting or threats. Girls are more likely to face relational bullying, exclusion, name-calling and malicious rumours. But lines blur fast. Emotional bullying leaves scars just as deep as physical bruises, and many kids experience both. Right here at home, bullying can also mirror broader social issues: children from different races, ethnicities or socioeconomic backgrounds often find themselves targeted, particularly in multi-ethnic or under-resourced schools.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Caring for your pelvic floor is a guy thing, too.
An expert said focused physiotherapy can play a big part in recovery. Pelvic floor dysfunction is not just a women's health issue. It's a guy thing, too, and for many men, it is the cause of pain, embarrassment, and an unwanted segue from normal life. It can mean challenges in the bedroom, a surprise and unwanted bit of leakage with a sneeze and a cough or a slow, exhausting recovery after prostate surgery. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has traditionally been an environment for or at least a treatment for women. Dr Lisa Kaestner, a urologist at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, said that it is helpful for post-prostatectomy incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain in men. But it's not really at the top of any man's health-awareness chart. 'There's a lack of awareness and not enough pelvic floor physiotherapists comfortable treating men,' she said. 'And rehab like this is not well funded in most South African healthcare settings, which makes it a personal expense many cannot afford.' This is probably why many guys say nothing, do nothing, and just suffer in silence. Men stay silent John De Klerk, a physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic rehabilitation, said the entire concept has roots in women's medicine. 'Pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegels, were initially developed for women by Dr Arnold Kegel,' he said. 'The research focused on women's reproductive health, especially for incontinence during and after pregnancy.' The same principles have been found effective for men with certain pelvic dysfunctions. But that does not mean the conversation is easy. 'To speak about a problem in a sensitive and private area, it must be brought out from the darkness of ambiguity,' De Klerk said. There is no single symptom that exclusively points to the challenge. Kaestner said it can range from incontinence to sexual issues and chronic pelvic pain. 'The back, the prostate, the pelvis, the pelvic floor are not separate entities,' she said. 'They are interrelated; even bowel function is part of the equation.' De Klerk unpacked it more. 'Overactive pelvic floor symptoms include difficulty initiating urination or defecation and pain during sexual function,' he said. 'Underactive symptoms relate to incontinence and excess flatulence. Then there's uncoordinated pelvic floors, which involve timing and control issues.' ALSO READ: Why Gen Z fears phones Men recovering from prostate surgery are particularly vulnerable, Kaestner said 'Pelvic floor physiotherapy can speed up recovery to continence after radical prostatectomy,' she said. Physiotherapy helps fix male pelvic floor issues De Klerk said focused physiotherapy can play a big part in recovery. 'Physiotherapy aims to improve modifiable factors of recovery,' he said. 'That includes urinary control, pain management, and longer-term erectile function recovery.' It is not just about exercise, though, he noted. 'We clear up misconceptions, explain the process, modify lifestyle factors like alcohol and caffeine use, and tailor a plan unique to each person,' he said. 'Training involves strengthening neural pathways to form new habits. In plain English, to prepare men in bracing the pelvis in times of need with better timing than Cheslin Kolbe in a World Cup kick-charge-down.' It remains a sensitive topic, though, and a reluctance to seek help is endemic. 'Pelvic floor physiotherapy is awkward and uncomfortable because it is incredibly intrusive,' said Kaestner. 'The key is to explain why it's needed and how it helps. Many men just need someone to open the door slightly. If they want to talk, they'll take that gap.' De Klerk agreed. 'Fewer men are embarrassed as much as they are afraid of the unknown,' he said. 'We meet them where they are, reassure them, and give them control of the process. The patient is in the driver's seat. We just navigate.' It's not just about doing Kegels. 'It starts with consent and a conversation,' said De Klerk. But don't do this at home, yourself, he warned the guys. Hypertonicity, or over-tightening, can occur. 'More men are trying to self-diagnose with apps and online videos,' he said. 'That can lead to more harm than help. Knowledge is not wisdom. A breadknife and a scalpel both cut, but one is made for the job.' Impacts sexual health Sexual health is, of course, a big driver for men to finally take some action. It's also a big taboo courtesy of society. Kaestner said that she found men do want to talk about stuff, but they do not always receive a safe space wherein to do so. As for the first step, De Klerk suggested a visit to a physio, GP or urologist. 'It is a great place to start. In the right clinical setting, pelvic rehab is a practical and evidence-based service. And don't be afraid, because there is hope, and there is no shame.' NOW READ: Feeling fine? Think again – Why annual check-ups are a must.
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
Beating for a great cause
JOHANNESBURG - Every year, thousands of South African children are born with life-threatening heart defects. But most never get the surgery they desperately need. Cardiothoracic surgeon and Young Hearts Africa founder, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, was part of an operation that saved the life of eight-month-old Kendreya Pillay.
