Operation Dudula's campaign against immigrants raises healthcare concerns

WITH scores of undocumented foreign nationals currently being turned away at Addington Hospital in Durban and other health facilities in parts of the country this week, the leader of the Operation Dudula Movement, Zandile Dabula, has vowed to continue the movement' anti-foreigner healthcare campaign across the country.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE [e-mail]

Eric Jean Butoki, who represents the Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum (SAROF), slammed the countrywide campaign, saying it is putting the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and foreign nationals at risk.

This comes as more than 50 patients, believed to be undocumented foreign nationals, have allegedly been turned away at Durban's biggest hospital since the start of the campaign outside Addington Hospital on Tuesday.

“We are concerned about this operation, which has prevented foreign nationals, including asylum seekers and genuine refugees, from accessing medical help. Some of these people are on chronic medication and have made appointments to be treated on the scheduled dates. For us, we are disappointed by this Operation Dudula-sponsored campaign.

As a result, Butoki has called on the government to establish permanent refugee camps to help resolve the matter.

In various videos circulated on social media over the past week, scores of immigrants seeking medical attention have been turned away, resulting in the South African Human Rights Commission issuing a statement stating that the South African Constitution allows foreigners, including asylum seekers and refugees, the same rights to healthcare as South African citizens.

“The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) reminds the public and all relevant stakeholders that the right to access to healthcare services in South Africa is a universal right afforded to anyone within the Republic of South Africa,” the commission said.