NEHAWU North West Statement On Thusong Hospital Evacuation
Tuesday April 05, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in the North West Province is deeply concerned about the decision of the Provincial Department of Health to move workers from Thusong Hospital to other Hospitals around the Ditsobotla Local Municipality without proper plans in place.
The department took the decision to evacuate patients and workers from Thusong Hospital following reports of high temperature coming from the floors of the hospital. They announced that patients as well as staff will be split between General Delarey Hospital and Itsoseng Community Health Centre.
Contrary to the announcement, our members and workers who work at this hospital have been left stranded not knowing areas where they have to report for duty, whilst others are scattered around without any clear roles. This is really an inconvenience for workers and we deem this as an act of provocation. A total workforce of about 288 employees has been affected by this uncalculated and unclear decision to close the District Hospital.
As NEHAWU, we suspect that the closure of Thusong Hospital could be an attempt by the department to mislead people in believing that their needs were to be attended to when the employer knew very well that there was no genuine intention. This situation has left the people who relied on Thusong hospital stranded and workers very frustrated.
Lastly, we call on the Provincial Administration to ensure that this matter is addressed with the sense of urgency it deserves, steps be taken to address the serious challenges pertaining closure of the hospital and that labour must be consulted as a critical stakeholder on developments.
Issued by NEHAWU North West Secretariat Office:
For more information, please contact: Ntombizodwa Moepeng (NEHAWU North West Provincial Secretary) at 018 381 4585 or 063 685 1911
email: Ntombizodwa@nehawu.org.za.
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za