NURSES STEAL PPE, NO DRUGS SHORTAGE - GOVT

MBABANE – Government contends that the presence and abundance of PPE in the country’s hospitals is demonstrated by the fact that some members of the Swaziland Nurses Association (SNA) have allegedly resorted to stealing the equipment.

The State made these averments in the matter where it has been taken to court by the nurses association over the shortage of drugs and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the country’s health facilities.

According to government the alleged theft of the PPE by members of SNA has resulted in the conviction of some of its members and some matters are still pending in the court.

In his answering affidavit Dr Vusi Magagula, the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, averred that nurses had at all material times been provided with ppe.  

“There has never been a time when they could not attend to patients due to the lack of personnel protective equipment. The Ministry of Health always endeavors to ensure that the healthcare workers are given adequate PPE to enable them to attend to patients,” argued Magagula.

Failed

He also denied the allegation by the nurses that the ministry failed to roll out PPE and essential drugs in the country’s hospitals.

Magagula informed the court that government was working around the clock on a daily basis to ensure that there were sufficient drugs in the country’s health facilities. 

“We further wish to state that the PPE does not fully guarantee that a person cannot contract COVID- 19. Therefore, we aver that the applicant’s (SNA) members did not contract COVID-19 as a result of the absence of PPE, as it is always available,” submitted the director of health services.

It was further his argument that, every person was vulnerable to COVID -19 and it could be contracted anywhere else outside the health facilities.

According to Magagula, there was therefore, no bearing between the healthcare workers contracting the virus because of the non- availability of ppe. “The government has not, in anyway, abdicated its responsibility to provide adequate protection to healthcare workers by availing the requisite PPE and essential medicines,” he argued.

He avowed that the government had in place the supply of PPE and essential medicines.

Magagula submitted that: “While we acknowledge the fiscal challenges faced by the government, it has, however, prioritised the health sector in the allocation of the budget, as well as ensured that there are adequate personnel to respond to the pandemic.”

Loans

He also brought it to the attention of the court that, the government had also applied for loans from the World Bank, received Global Fund grants and had also entered into bilateral agreements with regional and international organisations for the provision of essentials in the health system. 

“The ministry has an order of over US$383 000.00 from Mehecko in China, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has also placed orders. The PPE has not run out and there is adequate supply of both purchased and donated PPE,” averred Magagula.

The matter is pending in the Industrial Court before Judge Abande Dlamini. Government is represented by Mbuso Dlamini from the chamber of the Attorney General while appearing for the nurses is Advocate Lucas Maziya, who has been instructed by Human Rights lawyer Sipho Gumedze from V.Z Attorneys.

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