COVID-19 latest figures

Image: Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize visits the Covid -19 field hospital at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on June 01, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that his visit was part of a nationwide tour to assess the state of readiness of Provinces to cope with the expected rise in Covid-19 infections. (Photo by Gallo Images/ Jeffrey Abrahams)

Mkhize promises to address healthcare workers’ grievances

Nehawu has expressed concern over the plight of frontline workers fighting the coronavirus and plans to go on strike in August.

COVID-19 latest figures

Image: Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize visits the Covid -19 field hospital at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on June 01, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that his visit was part of a nationwide tour to assess the state of readiness of Provinces to cope with the expected rise in Covid-19 infections. (Photo by Gallo Images/ Jeffrey Abrahams)

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has committed himself to improving the working conditions of healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the country’s fight against COVID-19.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) announced on Tuesday, 28 July 2020, that it would be downing tools in August, due to a number of problems facing the public healthcare system, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The union embarked on a fact-finding mission in a number of health facilities and case across a myriad of problems, which its workers are exposed to including lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and staff shortages, to name but a few.

Mkhize said reporting such incidents would assist them in protecting frontline workers.

“We also continue with our drive to recruit new health workers, especially in light of field hospitals, which will stretch the current workforce. This recruitment is being done on an urgent basis during this pandemic period”, he said.

Mkhize: ‘Staff shortage still being addressed’

The minister said many of the union’s concerns are being attended to, including the shortage of staff, which has an impact on the functioning capabilities at facilities.

He said he had requested that the labour workstream identify specific facilities that have shortages, so that the Department of Health can immediately intervene in those facilities.

“This exercise is ongoing and the Minister will now not only rely on reports from the provincial Departments of Health to understand the situation on the ground. This will now be augmented and the department will benefit from the work done by the labour workstream of the multi-sectoral MAC (Ministerial Advisory Committee) to timeously respond to concerns raised”, Mkhize said.

The minister said he had also directed the committee to work on a to specifically determine the extent of issues affecting health workers, with a specific focus on the PPE requirements. 

“We will continue to provide as much support as we can in various areas affecting our health workers. We continue to take seriously all concerns raised by health workers”, he said.

The minister has thanked the workers for their efforts in helping fight the coronavirus.

“I salute all our heroes: the doctors, nurses, radiographers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, laboratory workers, therapists, technologists, technicians, emergency care officers, drivers, porters, care workers, general workers and all health worker categories for your commitment to serving our people. It is because of your hard work that South Africa will triumph over the pandemic”, he said.