PRIVATE hospitals have taken up the slack in healthcare left by the public service strike.

The hospitals have admitted critically ill patients who could not receive treatment at public hospitals due to the strike that started on Wednesday.

Netcare Garden City Clinic in Mayfair, Johannesburg, has admitted about 70 patients. Most of them are babies from hospitals such as Natalspruit, Sebokeng and Helen Joseph.

Garden City manager Esmé Abrahams said the hospital admitted 53 babies, some born prematurely and on ventilators, on Thursday.

The hospital also received six adults, previously admitted to the Helen Joseph, in its intensive care unit.

"We were touched by the support from members of the public and pharmaceutical firms, who donated nappies, milk formula, toiletries, clothes and blankets. Some volunteered to make food for the staff who have been working long hours," Abrahams said.

She said the hospital had converted some of its wards into emergency units to accommodate new patients.

The hospital also arranged accommodation and transport for the babies' mothers.

Tselane Mokgatla said she was happy with the treatment her 8-day-old baby had received at the hospital.

The baby, who has difficulty breathing, was transferred to the hospital from Sebokeng Hospital on Thursday.

Meanwhile, The South African National Defence Force has beefed up its support to hospitals by deploying more medical staff in six provinces.