Still no respite in Voortrekker Hospital go-slow

MOKOPANE -“Patients should know the hospital is deserted and they are advised to rather go to Mokopane Hospital as they will not be assisted at Voortrekker Hospital,” Kekana said, adding she is doubtful an agreement will be reached soon.

Jacob Moabelo, Voortrekker Hospital liaison officer, said: “I cannot make any statements at this stage because it is an internal matter and management is still busy discussing strategy in meetings. The response should come from the MEC’s office”.

Bosveld’s Attempts to reach the MEC were unsuccessful, however.

This desertion of the hospital follows an incident on Wednesday when patients were sent away as hospital personnel brought the hospital to a standstill over a wage dispute.

Kekana said there are several points of dissatisfaction between medical staff and hospital management.
‘Management is not taking staff issues seriously. The main reason for today’s strike is because four nurses who started their community service year on 1 February, did not receive their salaries. In support of these nurses the medical staff decided to strike and bring the hospital to a complete standstill,” Kekana said, adding the personnel showed patients away. “They expect the doctors to send the few outpatients who are left in the hospital to other facilities for help,” she said.
Kekana added management did not inform the nurses of the delay in payment.
“No notice was issued and therefore we chased the managerial staff away too. They need to seek solutions at the Department of Health’s district office and come back to us to solve the internal conflict.”

Kekana said a meeting has been arranged between management and nurses.

“Last month the doctors of Voortrekker Hospital did not receive their salaries. The MEC of Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, visited them the same day and solved the problem. Why can the same not be done for the nurses?”
A professional sister and trauma nurse, whose identity Bosveld withholds, said she had been working at the hospital for quite some time and is struggling to receive back pay.
“Casualties is the busiest department in the hospital. I work 12-hour shifts non-stop because my work is my passion and I like to help people in need. I am struggling to accept what I have to do to receive my hard earned money.”
The department is said to owe her a substantial amount of money. Her case was taken up by Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) and will be heard in the High Court.

28 FEBRUARY 2018

MOKOPANE – Several patients were sent away on Wednesday as the Voortrekker Hospital was brought to a standstill over a wage dispute.

According to Rose Kekana, Secretary of Nehawu in Limpopo, there are several points of dissatisfaction between medical staff and the management of the hospital.

‘Management is not taking staff issues seriously. The main reason for today’s strike is because four nurses who started their community service year on 1 February, did not receive their salaries. In support of these nurses the medical staff decided to strike and bring the hospital to a total standstill.”

According to Kekana they showed patients away. They expect the doctors to send the few outpatients who are left in the hospital to other facilities for help, she said.

Kekana furthermore alleged that management did not inform the nurses of the delay in payment.

“No notice was issued and therefore, we chased managerial staff away too. They need to seek solutions at the Department of Health’s district office and come back to us to solve the internal conflict.”

Kekana said a meeting has been arranged for Friday between management and the nurses. She said the hospital expected the nurses to be on duty but they cannot afford transport, or buy food as they were not paid.

“The doctors of Voortrekker Hospital did not receive their salaries last month.

“The MEC of Health, Phophi Ramatuba, visited them the same day and solved the problem. Why can the same not be done for the nurses?”

A professional sister and trauma nurse, whose identity Bosveld withholds, said she had been working at the hospital for quite some time and is struggling to receive back pay.

“Casualties is the busiest department in the hospital. I work 12-hour shifts non-stop because my work is my passion and I like to help people in need. I am struggling to accept what I have to do to receive my hard earned money.”

The department is said to owe her a substantial amount of money. Her case was taken up by the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa and will be heard in the High Court.

Bosveld did not receive any feedback from the MEC’s office.

Jacob Moabelo, Liason Officer of Voortrekker Hospital, said he was aware of a slow strike but could not comment immediately.

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za