There has been an overwhelming response to calls for volunteers to assist at government hospitals which have been hard hit by the industrial action by public servants.

Over a 1000 workers have put their names down to help doctors at state facilities.

Officials urged anyone who wants to help to go directly to the hospitals instead of sending messages to authorities and waiting for a response.

Relief for dozens of critically ill premature babies has also come through.

The patients were transferred to private Netcare hospitals after being abandoned by striking health workers.

Over 10 000 nappies, 80 bottles of breast milk and other baby goods have been donated so far.

Volunteers and soldiers heeded government?s call for help and assisted at the Natalspruit, Helen Joseph and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals on Friday afternoon.

Provincial spokesperson Mandla Sidu said it has not been necessary for authorities to move any more babies from state hospitals to private hospitals.

Some 53 premature babies were moved from Natalspruit hospital earlier this week.

Two babies died at the hospital.

Sidu said their deaths cannot necessarily be linked to the strike, but did say that the babies had not been fed properly.

Hospitals have also taken action to help patients.

A woman who had an appointment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital on Friday morning was full of praise for security guards.

"The strikers were totally contained. The guards were positioned perfectly at all entrances towards the hospital. They redirected us to go around. Everyone who was present was relaxed and sound and there for each other," she said.

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