983 nurses at Gauteng public hospitals who completed their community service at the end of last year have not been appointed as promised to permanent posts this year because of budget cuts.
This shocking information was disclosed today at a meeting of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee.
According to a Gauteng Health Department official, the provincial budget was cut by R4 billion last year, and R1.2 billion in this year’s budget. He said that the Department is now engaging with Provincial Treasury to try and get the funds to employ the nurses.
I am appalled that these nurses are not being employed immediately as they are desperately needed to treat the surge of Covid-19 patients that are overwhelming our hospitals.
There is no excuse for this poor planning and irrational budget cut as community service nurses are supposed to be given posts once they complete their service.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura needs to intervene urgently to ensure that funds are found to employ these nurses.