According to departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, the strike the worker embarked on will place the lives of patients at risk.

Workers are demanding among other things that vacant posts be filled.

They are also calling for better working conditions.

“ Our call as the Department is that the workers should do the right thing and go back to their service areas whilst the management - together with the unions - are addressing these issues.

Nehawu Secretary for the Mangaung branch, Thabo Nkomo, told OFM News workers will stop at nothing until their demands are heard and addressed by management.

Nkomo explained that they have been hammering on issues of health and safety since 2004.

Workers, including doctors and nurses, are accusing the provincial management of flouting safety protocols, which they claim poses a significant threat their lives.

OFM News