Brave nurses put their patients first
Healthcare workers belonging to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) have since Monday embarked on a protracted strike over wages.
Nurses, as part of the union, have also joined the strike and have not reported for work at hospitals, leaving patients vulnerable and susceptible to neglect and non-treatment.
However, a conscientious number of nurses have not heeded the call to abandon their patients and have reported for duty.
A nurse from Northdale Hospital,
who did not wish to be named fearing victimisation, has been at work caring for her patients since the strike began.
She said that patients are suffering due to the ongoing strike.
"The staff and patients did not have any food on the first day of the strike, but some donations were sent through on the second day," she said.
She stated that the strike was putting a great strain on staff who did not wish to participate in the strike action and protests.
"We are trying to get the basics done, like medication and observations, but the rest of the work we cannot do due to lack of resources and burnout. There are 23 patients and only two members of staff," she said.
She added that the strike is also affecting the morale of staff and patients. "This strike is really dampening our spirits. We haven't had any proper food and the staff do not have any clothes to change into. We cannot sleep due to the staff shortage. Patients are hungry. This is unacceptable," she said.
The nurse also said that the hospital is in a catastrophic state.
"The state of the hospital is critical as staff are seen leaving the hospital but they are not allowed to enter, which puts patients at risk. We lack the basics like medication,” she said.
She said that in all her years of nursing, she has not experienced something like this."i have been nursing for 10 years and haven't experienced something like this before. It is very drastic," she said.
The nurse added that some patients are oblivious to the chaos around them. "Some patients don't even know what's going on. But we have come to the conclusion that the strikers are targeting the workers and not the patients," she said.
She added that there was a better way for the public sector to make their point.
"This strike is unnecessary as there is surely a better way to get the message across without risking the lives of staff and patients," she said.