Healthcare workers at East London’s biggest public hospital, the Frere, are likely to continue their protest on Thursday in long-standing demands for an end to “nepotism”, more staff and clean linen for patients.
Health workers began demonstrating in the hospital precinct on Tuesday. They publicised several grievances.
When the Dispatch visited the hospital on Wednesday there were only a few people around due to the public holiday.
“The nurses started striking on Tuesday and the health department managers came here. They spoke with them, so today most of them are off duty and I heard they will continue the strike on Thursday,” a security guard said.
A shop steward at the hospital who did not want to be named said: “These issues are not new; they relate to corruption at the Frere, and nepotism. That’s why we are on strike, but if you wait until Thursday we will give you the full story.”
Provincial Denosa secretary Khaya Sodidi confirmed the strike. He said the recruitment process at the Frere had been marred by allegations of corruption and fraud.
“At the top of list is the issue of how people are employed there. There are issues of nepotism and favouritism. There is recruitment at Frere for a CEO a post that has been vacant for some time.
“So that’s the situation because the candidate being brought forward is alleged to be because of favouritism or a friendship.”
When Sodidi was asked to furnish the Dispatch with the name of person seconded to be the next CEO he said: “I have been properly briefed on this and I did have the name but I don’t have it now, but there is a name — that has been favoured to take over.
“Second, the workers are raising the issues of a shortage of staff. Workers are not replaced by the department, and now there’s a huge gap that needs to be filled. Shortage of staff has been there for the past 10 years because it has never been addressed.
“People must be employed to fill vacant funded posts,” said Sodidi.
He said as the province approached the third wave of Covid-19, workers also demanded personal protective equipment [PPE].
“Now we are in the third wave and there are issues of PPE. We are worried we may not be ready to face the third wave when it hits us hard.”
Provincial health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the healthcare workers’ issues had been raised with the health department’s top management.
“The issues relate to staff shortages, linen shortages and infrastructure. Acting SG Mahlubandile Qwase and acting DDG and other officials went to meet the staff. There is a follow-up meeting with the acting SG on Thursday afternoon to address the issues, including the issue of the acting CEO.
“So we are aware of the issues being raised and we are dealing with them,” said Kupelo.
A reader who called the Dispatch on Wednesday bemoaned the state of linen at Frere, saying his six-week stay had been marred by dirty conditions.
“Everything was so dirty, especially our linen. It was clear they were running short and we were reusing linen. It was a very unpleasant experience,” said the reader.
DispatchLIVE
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.