7 February 2007
All media institutions are invited to a press conference by the
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The press conference comes as a result of
an illegal industrial strike by the nurses in certain health institutions.
The nurses under category ENA and EN (Enrolled Nurse Assistance and Enrolled
Nurse) embarked on an unsafe and illegal strike from the 22 January 2007
demanding Scarce Skills and Rural Allowances. An ultimatum letter of warning
was issued on Tuesday 30 January 2007 and nurses that were on strike were given
12 hours to return to work or risk losing their jobs. More that 700 nurses
failed to submit to the instructions; instead they continued with their illegal
exercise and unfortunately the department had to dismiss them after they
refused to abide to the given ultimatum. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
maintains that the issue of rural, scarce skill and inhospitable allowances
remains the competence of the national Department of Health and relevant
structures, which include affected unions, are dealing with matter.
The affected institutions are; Edendale Hospital, GJ Crookes hospital,
Ngwelezane hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial hospital, Ntunjambili hospital
Lower Umfolozi Memorial Hospital and Umphumulo hospital. However, the
department has put the necessary plans in place; therefore the operation of
these institutions is normal and service delivery is back on track.
We are utilising the services of nursing agencies and nursing students to
augment the service.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Ms Peggy Nkonyeni has agreed to a request
by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) to meet all the unions
whose members were part of this illegal strike, at 11h00 today. The MEC and the
senior management of the department will be providing more information
regarding the status quo of those affected nurses, the impact of the strike and
its outcomes in the health system etc.
The details of the press conference are as follows:
Date: 7 February 2007
Time: 11h00
Venue: Natalia Building, 11th Floor S/Tower, Pietermaritzburg, Department of
Health Head Office)
Your attendance will be highly appreciated. Thank you
For more information please do not hesitate to contact:
Mr Bongani Mpinga
Corporate Communications
Department of Health
Tel: (033) 395 3033
Fax: (033) 342 0429
Cell: 072 753 2538
E-mail: bongani.mpinga@kznhealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 February 2007
