Nurses, UBH clash looms

NURSES at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and the management are headed for a clash after the institution allegedly refused to sanction the nurses opportunities to accumulate more allowances through voluntary extended duties.

Nurses’ anger also shot up after management turned down a proposed meeting with the nurses last week which was meant to discuss the matter. The nurses told Sunday News that they were not happy with the way the hospital was handling their grievances. They said the institution denied the nurses the opportunity to do locum which allows them to make extra money during their spare time.

“We want to do locum because we need extra money to provide for our families because our salaries are not enough,” said a nurse at the institution who cannot be named.

“We have been quiet for a long time and its high time people who are in power listen to our grievances. We have tried to solve this problem but no action has been taken,” said one of the nurses.

Another nurse said management at the hospital has allegedly instructed other hospitals and doctors not to take locum nurses from UBH without clearance letters.

“I personally went to the principal nursing officer but she told me off,” she said.

Some nurses said the institution has cut down the number of nurses resulting in the few who will be manning the wards complaining of being overworked.

“Nurses on night duty are overworking ever since their number was reduced yet most of the time at night there are more patients who are being admitted,” said the nurse.

However, UBH chief executive officer Mrs Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said she was not aware of the complaints from the nurses.

“I am not aware of such a thing,” she said when contacted for a comment.