By Anita Dangazele
Residents of Motherwell in Gqeberha are upset about staff shortages at the Motherwell Clinic in NU 8 and protested outside the facility on Monday after only two nurses showed up for work.
People had been waiting at the clinic since early morning, but the two nurses couldn’t handle the large number of patients.
One patient said: “People started leaving, but no one told us what was happening. Some waited, some went home, and eventually, we decided to protest.”
Despite the protest, the patients still didn’t receive any help.
Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said: “Before the three nurses retired [in August], there were six nurses at the clinic, and there weren’t any staff shortages. But we know there are staff shortages across the province.”
The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers said the government claims it lacks the money to hire more staff.
The union’s regional chairperson, Nomonde Fanele, said there are over 600 unfilled positions in the Nelson Mandela Bay region alone.
She added: “Workers are not being listened to. People have resigned, passed away from Covid-19, or retired, and their positions should be filled, but nothing has been done.”
On Wednesday, residents were still waiting outside the clinic, while staff reportedly locked themselves inside.
Pictured above: Patients waiting outside a clinic in Motherwell.
Source: Anita Dangazele
