SOUTH AFRICA HAS DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL TO HOSPITALS, AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS INTENSIFIES AFTER MEDICS JOINED OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS IN A STRIKE TO DEMAND BETTER PAY.

THE MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE OFFERING MEDICAL SERVICES IN WORST AFFECTED FACILITIES.

PUBLIC WORKERS HAVE BEEN PROTESTING SINCE LAST MONDAY TO DEMAND FOR A 10 PERCENT WAGE HIKE, WITH THE GOVERNMENT OFFERING 4.7 PERCENT.

THEIR UNION HAS VOWED TO INTENSIFY THE STRIKE UNTIL ITS DEMANDS ARE MET.

EMERGENCY TEAMS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESPOND TO SOME EMERGENCY CALLS, AS ACCESS TO SOME FACILITIES REMAINED BLOCKADED.

HEALTH MINISTER JOE PHAAHLA, HAS SAID THE STRIKE HAD LED TO THE LOSS OF LIVES.