South Africa’s biggest doctor organisation has called on health authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure staff and patients attending public healthcare facilities are protected during Tuesday’s anticipated marches against undocumented foreigners.
South Africa has experienced weeks of protests led by anti-immigration activists who have issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. Fear of xenophobic attacks has prompted thousands of people ― mostly from other African countries ― to flee their homes. The governments of Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Zimbabwe have repatriated some of their citizens, but thousands of people are still waiting for assistance.
The government has allocated R600m to deploy the police to anticipated hotspots and has placed the South African National Defence Force on standby as the country braces for anti-immigrant protests led by March and March and its allies. Operation Dudula and March and March have previously prevented non-South Africans from accessing public healthcare facilities, arguing that undocumented migrants are stretching public services to breaking point.
The South African Medical Association (Sama) said that while it recognises the frustration of communities that depended on overcrowded clinics and hospitals, healthcare workers must be allowed to provide care to patients without fear or interference.
