NEHAWU KZN Is Flabbergasted By The Conduct Of Capital Heart Endovascular Surgical Hospital
Thursday February 23, 2023
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in KwaZulu-Natal is flabbergasted by the conduct of Capital Heart Endovascular Surgical Hospital. This is after one of our members was forced to come to work despite being sick which later led to her demise.
Our member who worked as an admission clerk was denied to see the doctor after she had complained about the shortness of breath. It is understood that she was admitted as a Covid-19 patient in December and thereafter she started experiencing flu-like symptoms. She then started to experience shortness of breath.
When she requested to go and see the doctor she was told by her superior that she cannot go because there is no one to cover her shift. When she finally went to see the doctor, it was recommended that she be admitted with immediate effect. She then informed the employer that she needs to be admitted as per the doctor’s recommendation and again she was denied and told that she must wait until her day-off. When she was finally admitted on her day-off, it was too late and abscess was discovered in her lungs, and she later demised. She was laid to rest on 19th of February 2023.
Workers at the institution are afraid to take sick-leave even if they are ill due intimidation by the Matron. They are also made to disclose the nature of their illness and medication prescribed by the doctor through what is known as “welcome back interview” when they return from sick- leave.
We want to make it categorically clear to the employer that union will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those who are responsible for demise of our member are brought to book. In the coming days we will mobilise our members from various sectors to stage a picket at Capital Heart Endovascular Surgical Hospital and further to that we have already reported this non- compliance to both the department of health and the department of employment and labour.
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Issued by NEHAWU KwaZulu-Natal Secretariat Office
Ayanda Zulu (Provincial Secretary) at 081 758 5199 or email: Ayandaz@nehawu.org.za
Ntokozo Nxumalo (Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0815255983 or email: Ntokozo@Nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za