Civil society organisations in South Africa (SA) have taken their fight to the High Court to stop what they describe as xenophobic vigilantes from blocking access to healthcare facilities in Gauteng province.
The groups, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Treatment Action Campaign, say patients are still being turned away from clinics because of their nationality or lacking identity documents. They accuse the SA government of failing to uphold the Constitution and protect citizens’ right to healthcare.
Claire Waterhouse of MSF said the court application was necessary after repeated requests to authorities went unheeded. “At this stage it is a lot of inaction. Several of us have asked authorities to make sure our clinics are safe for anyone who needs access. Unfortunately, we have not seen action, which has forced us to take this matter to the High Court,” she explained.
The groups are seeking a court order to guarantee unobstructed access to clinics across the country, ensuring that no one is prevented from receiving care because of their origin or documentation.
–ChannelAfrica–
