Union to march to Health MEC

MEMBERS of Hospersa in the Northern Cape will march to the offices of the MEC for Health and the HOD on Friday regarding poor working conditions.

About a thousand members from various sections are expected to participate in the march, which will start in Dalham Road at 9am and proceed to MEC Maruping Lekwene’s office.

The march follows various concerns raised regarding the poor state of the health sector in the Province.

It was further triggered by the collapsing EMS services in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, where paramedics downed tools a week ago.

They voiced their concern over unequipped ambulances and work base, which put them at risk of being scrapped off the Health Professions Council of South Africa roll due to the non-compliance of the department.

Other complaints include that workers are understaffed and are owed money for overtime.

The provincial chairperson of Hospersa, Paul Graas, said that the purpose of the march is to make the provincial department aware of the harsh and unfavourable conditions that ambulance, emergency and other health personnel are working under.

He said the main focus will be on EMS, but they encouraged all of their members in the health sector who are affected by the poor working conditions to participate in the march.

“We expect members to be bused in from districts throughout the Province as most of the grievances that were highlighted were not resolved,” said Graas.