The University of the Witwatersrand on Wednesday condemned what it called the “major disruption of healthcare services” as a result of industrial action in the public healthcare sector in Gauteng and the North West Province.

Protests have resulted in many patients being turned away despite their need for urgent healthcare services and the university revealed that the protests have also had also impacted their staff and students who are involved in clinical duties in public hospitals and clinics.

Learning at the university was also disrupted, staff members threatened and property was damaged.

“[The protests have] resulted in the most vulnerable members of our community being deprived of healthcare services – a basic human right,” said the University.

It went on to call the protest action reprehensible and urged all stakeholders to come together to urgently resolve the crisis in the health sector.