OFM News earlier reported that patients were left starving as contracted FEDICS Catering Company kitchen staff at the hospital went on strike, demanding a wage increase.

ALSO READ:  Northern Cape hospital staff on strike

MEC Lekwene told OFM News the department was plunged into a mini-crisis yesterday following the commencement of the strike.

He says patients did not receive their food yesterday morning due to the strike, however, the hospital staff made plans later on to ensure patients receive their meals.

Lekwene says that the department engaged with the management of the hospital together with representatives of NEHAWU, which led to the suspension of the strike.

"All workers are back in their positions, they were busy cleaning and preparing for supper. We also further engaging FEDICS to ensure that they honour their part in terms of treating their workers correctly, and adhere to all our legislative labour regulations in terms of how they must treat their workers," he adds.

Lekwene further adds that he has requested the hospital management to call an urgent meeting with FIDECS to ensure that similar incidents don't occur in future. He adds that the hospital cannot afford such life-threatening disruptions. He concluded that everything is now under control and the department is doing everything it can to avoid such incidents in future.

OFM News