‘SKELETON’ STAFF AT MBABANE GOVT HOSPITAL

MBABANE – True to their resolution, nurses at the Mbabane Government hospital operated wit-  h skeleton staff as over 100 nurses were locked in a day-long meeting instead of attending to patients.
This is almost half of the nurses employed by the hospital, which has over 288 employees.

Following a court order that nurses should go to work, they reported to work as per the order at 7:30am and at 9am, they convened at the conference room where they deliberated on the issues affecting their work.
Surprisingly, the turnout of patients yesterday dwindled drastically apparently from the threat by the nurses to engage on a go-slow.”The Mbabane Government Hospital is known to have very long queues but yesterday, chairs were empty, especially at the Out-Patient Department (OPD).

Operations continued as normal and patients, who visited the hospital, received the required attention.
In an interview with most of the patients, they were happy with the service, adding that it was faster compared to the days where the hospital is filled to capacity and they end up returning home without receiving attention.
A patient, who declined to be mentioned, said; “I am very happy with the service today because it is quick. Actually, I am now from the X-ray and almost done; something that does not usually  happen  at this hospital,” the seemingly surprised patient said.

Despite that other nurses committed themselves to work, others fought for the cause as they are seeking government intervention, among other issues of serious drug shortages and their welfare issues.
Temalangeni Dlamini, the Chairperson for the Unit Committee in Mbabane, chaired the meeting.
The burning issues that were discussed included the shortage of drugs.

The nurses said they had made an oath that they would provide quality health care to the patients; something which is compromised by the lack of drugs.
Patients who are affected by the drug shortage include diabetics and those with high blood pressure as there is no Metformin 250, 500 and 850mg, Ibucare 400mg and Glemepiride 4mg and those who suffer from epileptic seizures. Other medication that is not available includes Amlodopine 10mg, Specperindopril 4, Vit B Complex, Furosemide 40mg and Insulin.

Dlamini said they will be deliberating on the issues until Friday to give them the much deserved attention.
“If we go back to work, government would not attend to the issues, hence we should stick to our plan to report to work and schedule meetings.”

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