This is according to the North West spokesperson of Denosa, Motlale Maikepa.

Maikepa told OFM News that most nurses had to cut their leave short and many of them had not taken leave since the pandemic started. Community service nurses are being employed on a contractual basis as the province is not financially fit to employ nurses on a permanent basis, adds Maikepa. 

She adds that nurses are over-strained, over-burdened and exhausted. It’s as a result of failing to plan, Maikepa says. She explains that the province cannot allow health professionals to be dismissed due to budgetary constraints, most especially with the state of Covid-19.

Maikepa concludes by telling OFM News it leaves a gap in the system when there are no finances to pay nurses who have recently completed their community services and seeking permanent employment.

OFM News is awaiting the response of the Department of Health.

OFM News/Shirndré-Lee Simmons