Concerns are mounting that vulnerable patients are being placed at risk as anti-illegal immigration protests continue outside healthcare facilities across KwaZulu-Natal.
On Monday, a mother carrying her four-month-old baby was allegedly denied entry to the Gateway Clinic at Addington Hospital by members of the March and March movement, who reportedly claimed she could not access healthcare services because she was a foreign national.
According to information provided to the newspaper, the infant had been examined by doctors at Addington Hospital the previous evening and classified as a high-risk patient requiring urgent follow-up care.
Despite allegedly presenting clinic documentation and a South African clinic card confirming the baby’s medical condition, the mother said she was still prevented from entering the facility.
Healthcare professionals have warned that delays in treatment and monitoring can have serious consequences for vulnerable infants, particularly where ongoing medical observation has been prescribed.
Members of the March and March movement have been stationed outside several hospitals and clinics across Durban in recent weeks, demanding South African identification documents from patients before allowing them access to healthcare facilities.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health spokesperson Nathi Olifant said no individual or organisation has the authority to prevent patients from accessing public healthcare services.
Olifant stressed that law enforcement agencies should intervene whenever individuals are unlawfully blocked from entering healthcare facilities.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said she was unaware of the specific incident and had not received any reports from members regarding the matter.
The mother later sought assistance at King Dinuzulu Hospital, where the baby was admitted and received treatment.
The incident has reignited concerns among healthcare advocates and community organisations that ongoing protests outside hospitals and clinics may be disrupting access to essential medical services and potentially placing patients’ health at risk.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain the subject of ongoing discussion among healthcare authorities, community groups and protest organisers.
