Question NW2497 to the Minister of Health
29 October 2020 - NW2497
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department has any plans to employ community healthcare workers on a permanent basis at B J Vorster Hospital, in Kareedouw; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has assessed the impact of the 16 community healthcare workers who were employed at the hospital on a temporary basis; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
According to the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health,
1. Community Health Workers (CHWs) at BJ Vorster Hospital in Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape Province were employed on a temporary basis for a fixed term contract to specifically capacitate the Health Services to respond to the additional demand for services due to Covid-19 at the Hospital. These CHWs were contracted with funding for Covid-19, of which the term will end on 31 March 2021.Assessment of anyfurther employment of these CHWs will be conducted towards the end of their contract and a decision will be taken then, which would also be guided by the availability of funding.
2. Performance of CHWs in the Province is continuously being assessed and this includes the 16 CHWs contracted at BJ Vorster Hospital and necessary support is provided to ensure that their performance is of acceptable standards, since CHWs play a critical support function in the management of Covid-19 in the Province.
END.