Question NW3047 to the Minister of Health

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22 December 2020 - NW3047

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the total number of ICU and high care nurses who have been recruited, trained and have been assigned to work in COVID-19 sites in KwaZulu-Natal thus far and (b) are the full details of the sites the specified nurses have been dispatched to; (2) whether his department intends to employ the nurses permanently once the COVID-19 pandemic has ended; if not, why not; if so; where will the nurses be assigned to work; (3) how does his department intend to deal with the shortfall in clinical psychologists and physiotherapists in the province as they indicated that funds were unavailable to recruitment?

Reply:

1. According to the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health, there is a total of 153 Nurses which is inclusive of nurses employed on contract basis and permanent employees. Nurses were from the following sites:

  • Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital
  • Greys Tertiary Hospital
  • King Edward Hospital
  • Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital
  • RK Khan Regional Hospital
  • Mahatma Gandhi Regional Hospital
  • Port Shepstone Regional Hospital
  • Newcastle Hospital
  • Madadeni Hospital
  • Addington Regional Hospital
  •  Ladysmith Regional Hospital
  • General Justice Gizenga Memorial Regional Hospital
  • Ngwelezane Tertiary Hospital

2. These nurses have been employed on contract up until 31 March 2021. No decision has been taken regarding the retention of these healthcare personnel on permanent basis after Covid-19 pandemic. The decision will be based on need and availability of budget.

3. The Department intends to prioritize appointing post-community service personnel into permanent existing posts of clinical psychologists and physiotherapists. Plans are also in place to advertise more bursaries in these professional categories. The Department also intends to target students who are pursuing Honours and Master’s Degree to address the shortfall.

END.

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