Local News
Shortage of nurses in FS highlighted─── CATHY DLODLO 10:36 Tue, 28 Mar 2017
Bloemfontein - The shortage of nurses at Free State health facilities was front and centre in the provincial legislature as members of nursing union Denosa protested outside the House while Health MEC Butana Komphela delivered his budget speech.
Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) provincial chairperson, Thibogang Thole says the severe shortage of nurses is starting to impact the delivery of health services in the province.
He says they met with the department several times to discuss the problem and a promise was made that by the end of February 2017 more nurses would be appointed. Thole, however, says no appointments have been made.
Thole said about 2 000 nurses completed their community service last year, but they were never appointed and another 43 nurses in the province are about to start their community service.
He said if all these nurses were appointed they would make a huge difference. He said it is time for residents in the province to realise that the non-appointment of nurses are leading to longer and longer queues at health facilities in the province.
Komphela said during his budget speech that no health institution should have a shortage of medication or medical staff and the department is looking at increasing the intake of students at nursing colleges.
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