Student volunteers from Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) came to the rescue during the recent taxi strike in the Western Cape which left healthcare centres short staffed.

In early August, minibus taxi operators in the Western Cape staged a week-long strike which left thousands of Cape Town workers, including healthcare workers, stranded and unable to get to and from work. During this time, staff shortages and strike-related violence placed significant strain on the healthcare services in the region.

Amid the strike, Faculty management was made aware of staff shortages at Tygerberg Hospital and immediately reached out to FMHS student leaders for assistance. “We put out the call, and within two hours more than 60 student volunteers signed up to help," says Dr Therese Fish, FMHS Vice Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact.

Over the course of the week – which included a public holiday – FMHS students from various programmes assisted in several departments around the hospital, performing all sorts of general and even clinical duties. “We are very grateful to our student body," says Fish. “This affirms our students as responsive socially accountable future health professionals."

Tygerberg Hospital Chief Executive Office, Dr Matodzi Mukosi, also thanked the Faculty for the assistance it provided. “I want to extend our appreciation to our key strategic partners, especially Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, for their unwavering support," Mukosi said in a note of thanks. “The management of Tygerberg Hospital convey our heartfelt appreciation to all of you for what you have done during these difficult and challenging times."

Dr Hendrick Lategan, Operational Manager at Tygerberg Hospital Trauma Front Room Service, also expressed his gratitude for the students' assistance. “The Trauma Unit experienced a significant increase in patient load within a short period of time," says Lategan. The high case load was due to patients being rerouted to Tygerberg Hospital as several healthcare facilities in the metro were closed as healthcare workers, particularly nursing staff, were unable to get to work due to transport issues and safety concerns.

“The group of students that were allocated to the Trauma Front Room Service held the University and Faculty's name in high regard. They took over nursing duties – checking vitals, triage scoring and documentation – without complaint, they assisted our doctors – placing intravenous lines, drawing blood, administering arterial and venous gasses, suturing, and more – and remained in the unit beyond their allocated time. They even assisted with porter duties to the X-ray Department and CT scanner!" Lategan boasts.

On behalf of Tygerberg Hospital, Lategan thanked the students for their selfless assistance and praised the high standards of care they delivered. “We are proud to be associated with Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and we are aware of the high standards of health care staff the school produces."

Ms Vanessa Annan, chairperson for the Tygerberg Student Representative Council (TSRC), who facilitated the volunteer activities says that students were glad to be able to help, but that it was also an eye-opening experience for them to see the effects of the taxi strike on people's lives.

Photo credit: Jem Sahagun for Unsplash​