Nigerians Dying Daily in South Africa After Hospital Ban – NUSA President

President of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Mr. Smart Nwobi, has raised alarm over the growing number of Nigerians dying in South Africa after being barred from public hospitals by members of an anti-migrant group, *Operation Dudula*.

Nwobi described the situation as unlawful and xenophobic, stressing that Section 27 of the South African Constitution guarantees healthcare access for all, irrespective of nationality.

He explained that *Operation Dudula* members station themselves at public hospitals, demanding IDs and chasing out patients without South African citizenship. “Some citizens without documents are also victims. This is illegal and unscientific,” he said.

South Africa’s Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, condemned the group’s actions, stating that only parliament could change the law. He warned that stopping doctors from treating foreigners was both illegal and unethical.

According to Nwobi, the ban, which started earlier this year and worsened in July, has forced many Nigerians into self-medication, leading to preventable deaths. He noted that foreigners who pay taxes and even naturalised citizens are being denied treatment.

NUSA, alongside other migrant unions and human rights groups, is pursuing legal action while also appealing to the Nigerian government for diplomatic intervention. However, Nwobi lamented that Nigeria’s consulate and embassy have yet to act.

“We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently. Nigerians are dying daily,” he said.

He added that NUSA has organised limited medical outreach programmes to help affected Nigerians, but resources remain inadequate.

Nwobi also warned that *Operation Dudula* has threatened to extend its campaign to schools attended by foreign children next year, a move he described as a continuation of targeted xenophobic attacks.

As South Africa’s elections draw closer, he fears foreigners, especially Nigerians in business, will remain scapegoats for citizens’ anger against the government.