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BARNABAS’S GOVT WAS BETTER - NURSES’ UNION

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MBABANE – The Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) is concerned that the new government is mum regarding the health crisis faced by the country.

The President of SWADNU, Bheki Mamba, said in light of the myriad challenges experienced in the country’s public health centres, government was mum on what was the next move.
This, he said, was unbecoming of the current government. Noteworthy is that the 11th Parliament has just completed about 50 days in office. Mamba said his comparison between the former government led by deceased Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini and the current one emanated from the fact that the previous premier and or his government engaged them on the status of health care in the country.

Failed

“It’s unfortunate that since assuming office, the new government has failed to engage us on the current health crisis in the country. There is no medication in hospitals and some of the equipment is dysfunctional,” Mamba said. The unionist said the contemporary state of affairs in public health facilities left them wondering what would happen to the public. As a matter of fact, the president said the current state of affairs in hospitals was not good for patients as there was no hope for them. “A patient with burn wounds needs to be taken to an incubator which assists them to avoid infection; however, currently the incubator is dysfunctional. They can’t even be afforded antibiotics to stop any infection,” he noted. Mamba said in light of this, patients who could survive their ailments ended up dying.

He said it was impossible for members of his cadre to work. He said despite their week-long protest action against government in September, there was still no medication in hospitals.
Worth noting is that while the unionist had changed tune and claimed the Barnabas-led government was better, they (SWADNU) once petitioned the premier and delivered the petition at Hospital Hill where it was received by the Principal Secretary to Cabinet, Victor Nxumalo. Also, the union was vocal that the then minister Sibongile Simelane was ‘a globe-trotter’ and neglected the ministry. At various instances, the executive of the organisation was at loggerheads with the ex-minister over the ‘health crisis’.

 

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