Union asks Ramaphosa to intervene in North West health crisis

Health sector trade union Hospersa is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene in the ailing state of public health in the North West.

The North West Department of Health (DoH) has been the subject of a number of irregular contracts awarded by senior officials‚ with some implicated in a string of dodgy deals‚ said Noel Desfontaines‚ Hospersa general secretary.

Desfontaines said the province had also been hit by disruptions in service delivery‚ resulting in many public health facilities closing down due to industrial action by public service unions over poor working conditions.

“We are not surprised that health workers in the province are now resorting to such drastic measures to get government to address their demands. During the reported industrial action‚ Hospersa appeals to its members to not engage in any form of vandalism and intimidation as well as in any deliberate closure of health facilities. We will continue working within the confines of the law to ensure that members’ demands are addressed‚” said Desfontaines.

In his intervention‚ the president is requested to start by restoring confidence in the public health workforce by addressing the deep levels of corruption and maladministration within the province’s DoH.

The province has been hit by chaotic scenes since Wednesday‚ when the community took to the streets to call for the fall of Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

For the past few months the health sector has been rendered ineffective as a strike by health staff continues. This has resulted in fatalities and shortages of medication.

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