The Gauteng Department of Health has appealed for volunteers to help with administration, cleaning, and catering at strike-hit hospitals.

Go to your nearest state hospital as a volunteer' and security guards will direct you to the volunteer-reception desk.

You will be assigned depending on your experience. The greatest need is for volunteers with nursing experience.

DA health spokesman Jack Bloom said volunteers must be prepared to "muck in" and not be too fussy about the work to which they are assigned.

Medical professionals who volunteer must present copies of their registration papers.

• In Gauteng, call the volunteer hotlines 082-338-1170, 082-551-9892, 082-773-9013 and 082-331-0786.

• In KwaZulu-Natal, call 0800-005-133.

Midwives and theatre nurses in Gauteng have been asked to contact:

• Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital, in Soweto, on 011-933-8000;

• Mothomone Pitsi, at the George Mukhari Hospital, in Ga-Rankuwa, on 082-452-3423; and

• Christina Mndaweni, at the Germiston Hospital, on 082-413-7714.