‘We have lost a few staff…’ – NMCH
PARKTOWN – The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital management team has refuted all claims suggesting that possible strike action is brewing within its walls.
he Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) has responded to rumours alleging that possible strike action by its hospital employees looms large.
An employee at the hospital, who wanted to remain anonymous, said employees at the hospital are considering demonstrations due to what he termed as ‘interferences’ by outside sources. The employee did not want to be drawn into saying which other organisation(s) had a hand in internal affairs.
“Although an external donor raised the funds to build the hospital, workers are questioning it’s interference in the hospital’s issues. The hospital has its own chief executive officer but it appears as if it’s the external donor making all the decisions,” said the employee.
“Most employees are worried about job security. After the retrenchments of four employees, others too are now asking themselves if their jobs are at all safe. In addition, most employees, especially the nursing staff, find themselves with nothing to do because other clinical departments are not being opened.”
Responding to the worker’s rant, NMCH chief executive officer, Mandisa Maholwana said, “Our clinical rollout model has been to phase-in services and to supplement existing public healthcare services. This measured pace of implementation has allowed us to develop safe, streamlined and efficient clinical services.
“Our radiology department has assisted in speeding up diagnostic interventions for children from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital as well as Steve Biko Academic Hospital.”
Maholwana, however, said like any start-up organisation, there will be a continuous process of improvement as the organisation learns and adapts to a changing environment. She added that this particular phase of the hospital’s journey requires people that are agile, creative and solution-orientated.
“We have always been aware of this and we look for people who are agile, creative and flexible. But this kind of environment is not the best fit for everyone and some people realise this and decide to leave. We have lost a few staff [members] for these reasons.”
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Are you aware of any instability or possible fractures at NMCH? Tell us by sending an email to rkg@caxton.co.za
