There have been renewed calls for the Eastern Cape department of health to be placed under administration, despite the embattled department’s commitment to fast-track the appointment of healthcare workers in Gqeberha.
A month-long strike by irate healthcare workers at several clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay was called off last week after the labour court granted the department an interim interdict, barring trade union members from continuing the unprotected strike.
The strike started at the beginning of April due to staff shortages at the Motherwell Community Health Centre.
Healthcare workers agreed to return to their posts after being told five of the eight nurses who were successful in interviews for vacancies at the Motherwell centre would report for duty.
The department also committed to fast-track the appointment of 20 general workers in the Bay.
Despite the department’s plans, DA MPL Jane Cowley said the department’s leadership had failed to finalise an affordable staff organogram and fill critical frontline posts.
According to Cowley, essential contracts were not renewed, thousands of vacant emergency medical services (EMS) posts still exist and the department failed to address the mental health crisis in the province.
“These failures continue to be seen and felt in every health facility across the Eastern Cape,” she said.
“Staff shortages have left the medical workforce demotivated and exhausted.
“Many frontline workers are in limbo, not knowing whether their contracts will be renewed.
“Ambulance crews are so depleted that they cannot perform their duties efficiently.”
Health department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth had an eight-hour long meeting with trade union leaders in Gqeberha recently.
The issues discussed during the meeting included staff shortages, EMS , infrastructure problems and general maintenance.
Unions that participated in the strike were Nehawu, Denosa, Hospersa, PSA, Nupsaw, YNITU and Pawusa.
During their discussions with Meth, they asked that the no work, no pay principle not be implemented for the days employees were on strike.
Meth said that she would engage with management on the request.
The department has budgeted more than R700m for the current financial year to fill more than 2,900 funded posts.
Cowley said she would also write to health minister Dr Joe Phaahla regarding the situation.
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.