Overtime, lack of staff irk nurses
Nurses’ union threaten action if challenges not addressed
The Namibian Nurses' Union has issued a number of demands to address a reduction in overtime pay and understaffing problems.
The Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu) has denounced the alleged exploitation of nurses by the Namibian government and the alarming deterioration of the country's healthcare system.
Nurses, widely recognised as the backbone of the healthcare system, have found themselves in an increasingly dire situation.
Among the major grievances raised by Nanu recently are the drastic reduction in nurses' overtime pay. Despite mounting workloads and staffing shortages, according to Nanu, several health regional directors have been ordered to slash nurses' overtime hours, some down to a mere 18 hours per month. Nurses frequently log these extended hours due to the demanding patient load and resource scarcity.
"We have come across disappointing reports from regions such as the Kunene and Otjozondjupa where nurses that are supposed to work from 08:00 to 17:00 at clinics are now being forced to work on weekends with no overtime payment, unless a patient is tended to," Nanu secretary general Junias Shilungu said.
"So, even if a nurse spends their weekend at the clinic on standby, they won't be paid if they do not tend to a patient. And if you only tend to one, then you are only compensated for that and not for the hours you spent waiting. This indicates that our time is not of value," he said.
Demands issued
The union also pointed out that understaffing is a major problem.
"Sometimes you find one nurse tending to 100 patients, which is common in the remote areas," Shilungu claimed.
Given the gravity of the issues, Nanu has issued a series of demands aimed at rectifying the situation.
These demands include the proper payment of overtime hours as per labour regulations, an end to working beyond regular hours if the government persists in its directives, and the discontinuation of weekend and after-hours work at clinics unless they are officially proclaimed as health centres. The union also called for the immediate recruitment of more nurses and the prompt provision of uniforms.
"Government wants us to work and deliver quality service to the nation, but it won’t pay for the service," Shilungu emphasised in an interview with Namibian Sun.
Nanu's statement concluded with a call to government to respond to these concerns by the end of August.
Failure to do so could trigger unspecified actions, he warned.
"We cannot divulge our actions now, but action is going to be taken," said Shilungu.
Nurses, widely recognised as the backbone of the healthcare system, have found themselves in an increasingly dire situation.
Among the major grievances raised by Nanu recently are the drastic reduction in nurses' overtime pay. Despite mounting workloads and staffing shortages, according to Nanu, several health regional directors have been ordered to slash nurses' overtime hours, some down to a mere 18 hours per month. Nurses frequently log these extended hours due to the demanding patient load and resource scarcity.
"We have come across disappointing reports from regions such as the Kunene and Otjozondjupa where nurses that are supposed to work from 08:00 to 17:00 at clinics are now being forced to work on weekends with no overtime payment, unless a patient is tended to," Nanu secretary general Junias Shilungu said.
"So, even if a nurse spends their weekend at the clinic on standby, they won't be paid if they do not tend to a patient. And if you only tend to one, then you are only compensated for that and not for the hours you spent waiting. This indicates that our time is not of value," he said.
Demands issued
The union also pointed out that understaffing is a major problem.
"Sometimes you find one nurse tending to 100 patients, which is common in the remote areas," Shilungu claimed.
Given the gravity of the issues, Nanu has issued a series of demands aimed at rectifying the situation.
These demands include the proper payment of overtime hours as per labour regulations, an end to working beyond regular hours if the government persists in its directives, and the discontinuation of weekend and after-hours work at clinics unless they are officially proclaimed as health centres. The union also called for the immediate recruitment of more nurses and the prompt provision of uniforms.
"Government wants us to work and deliver quality service to the nation, but it won’t pay for the service," Shilungu emphasised in an interview with Namibian Sun.
Nanu's statement concluded with a call to government to respond to these concerns by the end of August.
Failure to do so could trigger unspecified actions, he warned.
"We cannot divulge our actions now, but action is going to be taken," said Shilungu.
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