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GOVT NEEDS 2 000 MORE HEALTH CARE WORKERS - SWADNU

By Nokuzola Thwala | 2021-01-22

Mbabane Government needs to hire about 2 000 health care workers in order to contain and combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed by Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) President Bheki Mamba. He said currently, they had about 2 000 nurses working on the ground. Mamba said they had a lot of qualified nurses sitting at home.

“We need at least 2 000 more, which will double the current number.

These will ease the workload.

As we fight COVID-19, the reality of the matter is that we are going to have nurses who will get infected with the virus and they will need to be treated whilst in isolation.

Under the current situation, when these go for treatment, no one or minimal nurses will be on the ground," he said.

stated

Adding, Mamba stated that the above will result in most services being cut because the essential workers will be in isolation as well, patients allowed in the health facilities will also be minimised.

He said besides, there was also a need for nurses who will visit communities to sensitise them on COVID-19, its strengthened regulations, consequences and screen people for the virus.

“They need to also look out for the people suspected to have the virus because if detected early, treatment can be started early in their respective homes to avoid deaths.

Most of these deaths are a result of late detection and late treatment, it is not all of them who have underlying sicknesses. Basically, human resource shortage is a serious concern that government must address with immediate effect,” added Mamba.

Further, the president stated that government cannot bring retired health professionals back for different reasons.

He said the environment was no longer conducive for retired people, particularly because of age, most have underlying sicknesses at their age and the workload is heavy such that they could not be recalled.

Meanwhile, Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula echoed Mamba’s situations.

He said they had considered recalling the retired health professionals. However, he said they were at a more vulnerable age than the ones on the ground. He said they were willing to explore every possible solution.

“We had to be realistic in our solution finding mission.

Italy did the same and recalled retired health professionals, they died,” he made an example.

He also said government was in the process of hiring more nurses as it is. Further, he said they couldn’t recall health professionals in the security services as they are also working where they are stationed.

“They are already working with us, it is just that they are in their respective places of work. Remember, they are not a big number.

So, what would happen when we recall them? Who will close the spaces and do their work where they currently are,” he stated.

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