Nyangabgwe at standstill as medics join strike

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday May 20, 2011 00:00

 

About 22 medical doctors and 15 nurses, were yesterday expected to receive letters dismissing them from work for reportedly defying the recent court order, which ordered them to return to work. The number of dismissed health workers was yesterday expected to swell as more continue to stay away from work.

Health workers have been classified as essential service providers and ordered to return to work, but many have remained defiant. They are part of the government employees who stayed away from work under the banner of the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) to press government to hike their salaries by 16 percent.

By yesterday morning, a group of nurses, pharmacy technicians, young medical doctors and other health workers, had gathered in front of the accident and emergency wing of the hospital. They had gathered to demand their dismissal letters from the NRH superintendent, Dr Ewetse Mosweu.

Unfortunately, the hospital superintendent was not available to address the workers most of whom were dressed in white and blue.  A few feet from the gathering, patients in the accident and emergency ward were left unattended as ambulances poured in bringing more patients. The referrals were from clinics and hospitals within the catchment area of the NRH.

There were no nurses to receive them and doctors were also gathered outside preferring to stay away from work, 'because we know some of us are already dismissed from work.'  Even those aware that they had not been dismissed preferred to stay-away in solidariy with their colleagues.

As the pathetic situation played out, patients limped about unattended, some bedridden whilst others watched helplessly as the doctors and nurses drifted out of the wards. Indications were clear that if the situation did not improve, it would be terrible for those falling sick.

At the OutPatients Department (OPD), patients were at some stage left without a single nurse or hospital orderly to attend to them.  It was a hopeless situation.  Some could not hide their disappointment as they were informed their appointments had been postponed until further notice.  'They expect us to postpone our conditions as well.

This is very bad,' shouted an unidentified woman who banged her sling bag against the wall at the OPD ward.

However, at the pharmacy people were able to get their medication and were fully assisted.  At other wards, with the exception of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) ward, patients were left unattended, including women at the maternity ward, some of whom were in labour. Many patients cried for assistance to no avail.

Thandi Tshupo (43) of Selebi-Phikwe says she was booked for endoscope yesterday but was disappointed to learn that she would not be assisted. 'I was told there were no medical doctors to attend to us.  It was my first time to see the doctor after my last referral,' she declared with disappointment.

She expressed concern that the health workers lacked the courtesy to inform them in advance that there would be no services at the hospital. Just early this week, Tshupo's appointment was duly confirmed over the telephone and she was told she could come. 

'Besides no services being provided, imagine the non-refundable expenses of travelling from Selebi-Phikwe for nothing? These people are cruel,' said Tshupo. She was concerned that the government does not seem to be concerned about the chaos at health facilities like NRH. 'About eight patients that were booked for endoscope, had to return home frustrated yesterday,' Tshupo says.

Monkagedi Gopolang, 50 also from Selebi-Phikwe is deaf and diabetic. Yesterday he had to return home unattended. His guardian and elder sister Oakantse Gopolang declared her worries about his condition.

'He is diabetic and the instruction was that he should not eat anything before seeing a doctor. Now that he has not been attended to, he has been shaking and hungry and there is no one to help,' declared Oakantse as she helped her brother sit on the floor. 'We need government to do something about the state of health facilities,' she says.

Gaobone Majasi of Mathangwane village is 32 years of age and is ready to deliver her baby as she is nine months pregnant. She has been in and out of the hospital due to pregnancy-induced hypertension. Now she fears for her life.

'It was here at the hospital that I was informed that my BP was too high and I was warned that I could collapse anytime before giving birth as a result of my condition,' the tearful Majasi tells the Mmegi team. Majasi was hoping that after being referred from a local clinic, she would be admitted for close monitoring.

'Now, there are no nurses and I have been sent back home and given some tablets as my BP has been rising,' Majasi said. She said she prays every night that God will save her unborn child and spare her life from the hypertension.

The NRH public relations officer, Caiphus Gabana, indicated that for now; 'there is nothing that can be done to normalise the situation.' He admitted that generally the wards were unattended. 'In some wards, there is only one nurse who cannot attend to all the patients.'

The hospital spokesperson says the number of essential workers taking part in the strike has been varying depending on the shifts.  For instance, on April 26 about 127 essential service workers stayed away from work and on April 27 it was 150 of them.

'By Wednesday, there were 130 health workers who were still gathered at the Chedu Choga Square having joined other striking government employees,' said Gabana.