COSATU MPUMALANGA PLEDGES ITS UNWAVERING SUPPORT TO THE MARCH ORGANISED BY MEDICAL DOCTORS’ UNION (SAMATU)

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Mpumalanga pledges its undivided support to the march organised by its dedicated Affiliate, the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU), whose objective is to tackle the socio-economic crisis affecting the health sector in general and the gross shortage of medical staff.

The action is planned to take place as follows:

Date:               17 January 2025

Time:               10H00

Venue:            Gathering Point – Nelspruit Traffic Circle

                         Destination – Riverside Government Complex

The march is intended to address the following socio-economic challenges affecting the health sector in the province

Ø  To fight for the realisation of public quality healthcare for all (i.e. address shortage of staff, improvement of health infrastructure for our institutions, to fight against crime and improve of security to our health institutions).

Ø  To fight for the full implementation of the National Health Insurance.

Ø  To eliminate crime and corruption in our state institutions.

Ø  Employment of unemployed doctors in the province.

Ø  The attempt/intention by the department of health to cut commuted overtime for doctors.

Ø  The absorption of bursary holders post community service.

Ø  To demand for the implementation plan of the memorandum submitted on 30 August 2024 to both the Department of Health and Department of Safety and Security.

Ø  We further implore the Premier of the Province to follow up with the above stated departments regarding their accurate responses and further address the following challenges affecting the health sector:

▪ The Provincial Government of Mpumalanga to review the benchmarking exercise which was undertaken by the Provincial Task Team constituted of both Labour and Provincial Government whose role was to emulate good practices from hospitals in Gauteng such as George Mukhari, Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital and Steve Biko hospital.

▪   We demand swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers across all healthcare facilities and state departments.

▪    To insource all services including security.

▪    Install panic buttons on all EMS Vehicles as a matter of urgency.

▪    Translate all nurses before the end of November 2025.

▪   Absorption of all contracted employees such as Data captures, Covid 19 nurses, R171 nurses and CHWs.

▪ Prepare all Mpumalanga College of Nursing sub-campuses for accreditation by the Council of Higher Education (CHE) and South African Nursing Council (SANC).

▪  Build a Mental Health Hospital for the Mpumalanga Province and Mental units in Hospitals.

▪     Complete the Renovations at Witbank Hospital.

▪      Operationalise the new Middelburg hospital as a matter of urgency.

▪   Build nurses’ homes and renovate the current buildings such as Themba Hospital nurses’ home

Media is invited to cover the action.

Issued by COSATU Mpumalanga

Thabo Mokoena(Provincial Secretary)

Mobile: 073 750 2041