Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

Media statement

Friday, 11 December 2020

 

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in KwaZulu-Natal notes the announcement of COVID-19 second wave which is hitting our province and urges communities in the province to follow COVID-19 regulations.

 

The second wave means that people must always wear their masks at all times in public areas and refrain from participating in large gatherings that lead to poor social distancing.

 

Once again, our members are at the front of the pandemic like before. Our fears are that the crisis we had before might be worse and we are concerned that our healthcare institutions might not cope with the increase of cases in our province especially at the time when the province is still at Alert Level 1.

 

It must be noted that December holidays always add pressure on healthcare institutions due to increase in car accidents, violent behaviours amongst people and increase of gender-based violence, all of which are often related to excessive consumption of alcohol.

 

Our members will be forced to accommodate COVID-19 patients and increase in road accidents that might add unnecessary workload to our members.

 

DENOSA reminds the citizens of the province that healthcare workers are still leaking their wounds from how badly they were treated by the current administration where they were denied their salary increment, COVID danger allowance and tax relief during the pandemic which was going to motivate them. Many of the frontline have succumbed to the pandemic in the line of duty.

 

We are disturbed by the findings of the latest study which found that the KN95 that is used by healthcare workers have proven not to be safe for the workers as it their filtration integrity, seal and fitting are not in line with standards. Our legal department is looking into the matter with the view to take legal action against the department if needs be.  

 

We appreciate the decision by our department of health to extend all fixed term COVID contracts for another six months which we are urging the department to make all these positions permanent as it is known that there is gross shortage of nurses in public institutions.

 

DENOSA in KZN passes its appreciation to its members for remaining resolute in their commitment to service the nation with pride, although our government is so not appreciative of their contribution. It is out there to be seen that nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and bring hope to our communities.

 

As we conclude the year 2020 which was declared by the WHO to be the International Year of a Nurse and Midwife, we wish to commend our nurses in our province for the sterling work and professionalism they showed this year under severe ill-treatment by the department, ranging from failure to provide them with proper personal protective equipment, poor working conditions, victimisation to those who raised their concerns about unfavourable working conditions, attacked by those utilising healthcare institutions, raped and assaulted in the line of duty without protection by the Department of Health.

 

DENOSA KZN salute all nurses who are still holding the fort and remember all those who have succumbed to the virus as our true soldiers.

 

We urge our communities to play their role and prevent the spread of the virus during this festive season.

 

End 

 

Issued by DENOSA in KwaZulu-Natal

 

For more information, contact:

 

Mandla Shabangu, Provincial Secretary

 

Mobile: 072 151 5874 / 071 643 3369

Tel: 031 305 1417