Nurses, midwives drop pills
Innocent Selatlhwa | Wednesday July 5, 2023 06:00
The union had given government until July 1 to ensure that pharmacy technicians are employed to take over as it had been illegal for nurses and midwives to do the same.
According to BONU representative Kenosi Mogorosi, the talks they had with the Ministry of Health (MoH) bore no fruit and they have since ceased dispensing prescriptions.
BONU through its president Peter Batsalelwang on June 23 wrote to the Health ministry stating their intention. Batsalelwang, in a formal notice addressed to the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and the same copied to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, highlighted that the current practice of nurses and midwives dispensing medicines is both unlawful and in violation of the code of ethics for practising nurses and midwives. The decision to cease this practice was made to ensure compliance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 2013 and the Nurses and Midwives Act of 1995.
BONU posits in their letter that Section 26 (1) (a-c) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act clearly states that operating a dispensary without proper authority is an offence that may result in imprisonment and/or a fine. They emphasised that the responsibility for dispensing medicines lies with authorised professionals, prohibiting nurses and midwives to undertake this role.
According to Batsalelwang, Section 11 (1) (c) of the Nurses and Midwives Act restricts registered professionals from engaging in any practices that are not provided for or differ from the terms and conditions of their practising certificate. BONU stressed that the act of dispensing medicines falls outside the scope of its members' professional responsibilities.
Moreover, BONU highlighted that the practice of nurses and midwives dispensing medicines is contrary to the professional ethics of nurses. The code of practice mandates accountability, fidelity, and veracity, and professionals must not engage in any conduct that is illegal according to the law.
As of Thursday last week, the ministry had said it was in talks with the union and other stakeholders. MoH Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Christopher Nyanga said the ministry received a copy of a letter written to the DPSM from BONU on the issue.
“The Ministry of Health is positive that an expedited solution will be reached within reasonable time, to avert any possible disruption of services in government health facilities. The ministry, therefore, assures Batswana and all nurses and midwives of its commitment to an immediate resolution of this issue, to safeguard people’s health and well-being,” Nyanga said.
When D-day arrived, Nyanga could not be reached for an update stating that he could only do so after the long weekend. BONU’s Mogorosi would state that their talks collapsed even though government admitted the act was unlawful but failed to provide remedies. “As we speak, nurses and midwives are not dispensing drugs. Nurses have been abused for long and it is time that stops. Pharmacy technicians are there on the streets. We tried to talk, but it was now time for action and they know we have been breaking the law,” he said.