This is according to the Provincial Health Department. Tabling the department's Adjustment Budget, MEC Montseng Tsiu announced that 54 permanent appointments have been made since April 2020. 

In efforts to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the department has further appointed 340 Professional Nurses, 175 Staff Nurses, 275 Assistant Nurses, 23 Medical Officers, 60 cleaners, 88 household aids and 84 clerks on contractual basis. Whilst the province has now recorded 13 443 Covid-19 positive cases with 62 deaths and 1 821 recoveries, Tsui said it is with great sadness that frontline healthcare workers are amongst those who have lost their lives. She sent her condolences to the affected families and announced that the province will fast-track measures to employ more workers whilst the battle against the coronavirus continues.

"Regrettably we have so far lost 167 soldiers, that is healthcare workers in the battle field, affecting all our platoons at different levels. Of course this has a devastating impact and raise anxiety amongst those remaining in the battle field and their families. Hence the situation warrants continuous psycho-social support to all those affected".

Tsui highlighted that the financial and economic situation remains unpredictable as the health of the community is dynamic and that there is now an increased demand for funding due to the need for more human capital, equipment, and medicine, amongst other needs.

Tsui has vowed that her department's R12.4 billion budget will also prioritise the recruitment of more personnel and ensuring that health demands across the province are met.

OFM News