A recent development is South Africa has left Nigerians and other foreign nationals struggling to access healthcare in public hospitals. An anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula, has been barring foreigners from accessing medical care, sparking widespread concern.
According to Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Nigerians are dying daily due to the inability to access public healthcare. The group has been targeting hospitals, preventing doctors from treating foreign patients. Nwobi described the situation as “appalling” and “unfortunate,” emphasizing that access to pubic healthcare is guaranteed under South African constitution.
South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Mosoaledi, has condemned the actions of Operation Dudula, stating that stopping doctors from attending to foreigners is illegal. He suggested that if the group wants to change the law, they should follow the proper channels, including vying for elections and winning a majority in the National Assembly.
The ban has left many Nigerians resorting to self-medication, which is detrimental to their health. Some are also losing their lives due to lack of medical attention. Nwobi’s group is collaborating with other African migrant union to seek legal intervention for those affected.
The Nigerian Union South Africa is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter and ensure that Nigerians receive the medical care they need. The group has also written to the Nigerian Consulate to reach out to their South African counterparts and resolve the issue.
This incident is not the first time Nigerians have faced challenges in South Africa. In recent years, there have been reports of xenophobic attacks and deportations of Nigerians from South Africa According to some reports, at least 13,235 Nigerians were deported from 10 countries, including South Africa, between 2014 and 2023.
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