Health union says budget allocation must address staff shortages
The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade
Union has called on the Department of Health to hire more staff in the sector.
The union's Rich Sicina says with staff shortages, the newly allocated budget should be used wisely so that more healthcare workers can be brought into facilities.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has set aside an additional R23 billion for health over the medium term.
Sicina says employees are overworked, putting patients' lives at risk.
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"Gross shortage of staff leads to burnout and job dissatisfaction. That is why you see this disgruntlement and rudeness or demotivation because nurses in particular, and doctors are stretched.
“In a unit of 45 beds with 45 patients you will find four healthcare professionals, and they will have to deliver quality nursing care. A gross shortage of staff leads to patients dying unnecessarily. So, it's a problem."
