Hospital staff shortage deepens
PIGG’S PEAK - So serious is the shortage of staff at Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital such that most employees work for at least three departments each.
This was disclosed by the health institution’s Chairperson of Shop Stewards Sigwalaza Shongwe, in an interview with this publication.
According to Shongwe, they had tried endless times to engage the hospital management but nothing has been done to address the issue.
“We are in a dilemma; it is unworkable, each employee works for at least three departments. At the same time, government keeps expanding the hospital through building new structures yet they are not hiring staff,” said Shongwe.
The chairperson added that they engaged management over the matter who in turn engaged the Ministry of Health but the issue remained unaddressed.
He said they had even informed the office of the principal health administrator, the overseer of the region, but still no help had been availed to them.
He narrated that the major cause of the challenge was the promotion of auxiliary staff, following an agreement between government and the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU).
Even so, Shongwe said prior to the promotions, there was a shortage of orderlies as there were no replacements in cases of death and retirement for a long time.
Orderlies are support staff to nurses and sisters (Heads of Departments (HODs) while auxiliary staff incorporates laundress, kitchen staff, switchboard operators and housemaids.
Promised
“They promised to fill the vacant positions after the promotions, which were to be effected nationally. The promotions were also effected late as some departments had already decided to hire private lawyers. The present employees cannot take leave and most of them are now sickly,” he claimed.
The chairperson of the shop stewards said what worsened the situation was the fact that after the promotions were effected, most of those promoted were then transferred to other government health institutions, clinics in most instances.
“Our request is that they should hire staff, especially the orderlies because some retire and others die while others are being transferred elsewhere without replacements,” said Shongwe.
When reached for comment on the matter, Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, Dr Simon Zwane, conceded that they were aware of the matter. “We are aware of the issue of Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital. The hospital management reported it to the ministry. Unfortunately, there is no waiver to fill the vacant positions. We are looking at government to probably raise funds in order to address this matter,” said the PS.
Dr Zwane added that they understood how bad the situation was, they knew of it and the plan was to swiftly address it.
Reports suggest that Eswatini has a shortage of healthcare workers for priority health services, particularly HIV and AIDS. The country of approximately one million citizens has one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world – 26 per cent. At the same time, Eswatini has fewer than two healthcare workers doctors, nurses, or midwives for every 1 000 citizens.