EFF STATEMENT ON SUSPENSION OF NURSES AT GEORGE MASEBE HOSPITAL.
Tuesday, 18 April 2023.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo is perplexed by the
suspension of more than 10 nurses at George Masebe Hospital in Mokopane
based on unfounded accusations of improper conduct.
It is alleged that nurses have become a target of suspension after sharply
raising their concerns on the permanent shortage of staff, the dilapidated state
of the hospital and demanding the resignation of the hospital CEO from his
position for being complicit in failing to run the hospital effectively and
efficiently.
The EFF calls on the Limpopo Department of Health to immediately lift the
suspension of the nurses, in the best interest of poor patients who rely on
public health for access to healthcare services.
We throw our weight behind the nurses who held a picket outside George
Masebe Hospital, in Mokopane on Monday, 17 April 2023, demanding the
suspension to be withdrawn. In actual fact, we strongly condemn with the
utmost contempt it deserves, the victimisation and bullying of healthcare
workers by the Executive Management of the hospital who have no regard for
the plight of ordinary people who are being affected as a result of this illconceived suspension.
The EFF will lodge a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights
Commission (SAHRC) to ensure that appropriate action is taken against
hospital authorities for violating fundamental patients’ rights to access
healthcare.
The right to health and the wellbeing of our people are undeniably sacrosanct,
therefore anyone who tramples upon these must face the music. Furthermore,
the EFF Labour Desk will work around the clock to ensure that the suspended
healthcare workers return to work.
Lastly, the Department of Health must fill vacant posts to avoid overworking
the staff members and delaying the provision of quality and affordable
healthcare services.
