Media statement

21 April 2008

Key decisions taken by the DENOSA NEC- 18th-20th April 2008

The National Executive Committee of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa met over the weekend of the 18th to the 20th April 2008 to discuss crucial issues in the nursing profession and health sector in general.

After intense and in depth discussions, DENOSA NEC came up with the following resolutions:

• There is a strong need to vehemently and vastly market the International Council of Nurses (ICN) 24th Quadrennial Congress to be held in Durban in June 2009. This historical congress will be held for the first time on African soil in more than 100 years of the ICN existence therefore it is a massive achievement for the continent, the country and nurses especially DENOSA.
  
  
• DENOSA must furthermore open platforms to discuss task shifting which is currently a hot topic precipitated by the ongoing crisis in human resources for health serves, which is compromising the extent and quality of health care. In addition, the President and the General Secretary of DENOSA will be attending a meeting on the 14-17 May 2008 in Geneva where task shifting, one of the topics sponsored by DENOSA will be discussed by nurses of the world

• The NEC is concerned and strongly opposes the move by SANC to deregister some of the specialty nursing courses and the manner in which this has been done. This in simple terms means nurses who have completed and are practicing in areas of specialty will not be recognised. The NEC therefore calls for a review and proper consultation in this regard.

• The leadership of DENOSA is also furious and keeping a very close eye on the incorrect and delayed implementation and translation of the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) as agreed in September 2007, this (OSD) was meant to improve nurse salaries thus recruiting and retaining them in the nursing profession and essentially within the country.-End-

Issued by:
Asanda Fongqo
DENOSA Communications Officer
Tel. no. 012 343 2315 Ext 235
Cell no. 079 875 2663