Crisis Looms as Nurses go on strike

  • No more night shifts eff ective Wednesday
  • Demand gov’t to act fast
  • Our lives are in danger – Nurses
  • We are installing CCTV cameras – Gov’t

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Members of the Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) have taken a resolution to stop working odd hours effective Wednesday (tomorrow) if government does not act on the increasing number of attacks on nurses, The Botswana Gazette has been informed.

On Monday (Yesterday) BONU members from Gaborone, Thamaga, Moshopa, Ramotswa, Kgatleng branches met in Gaborone to map a way forward.

In the wee hours of Friday last week, Nurses and patients were attacked at Broadhurst 3 Clinic where their cellphones and belongings were stolen, which motivated the current resolution. Shortly after the occurrence, the Ministry of Health and Wellness suspended night duty at the medical facility.

“We have resolved to stop working night shifts effective Wednesday. Our lives are in danger and nobody seems to care,” said one of the master-minds of the meeting who requested to remain unanimous.

He said they took the resolution to the BONU executive committee.

“We are not going to wait on them, we know they have delaying tactics. If they do not come up with a solution before Wednesday we will strike and force government into action.”

The members are awake to possibilities of job losses as a result, but will forge ahead anyway. The Botswana Gazette understands that they are already mobilising other members nationwide.

“If you read the BONU constitution, Gaborone has the highest number in terms of membership followed by Francistown. An addition of surrounding area memberships gives us then numbers we need to move government, because there will be a crisis in clinics and hospitals if we abandon night shifts,” said one of the members.

Reached for comment BONU Spokesperson Aobakwe Lesolame confirmed that members have submitted their demands.

“We understand their position, especially that these are members that work in areas where these incidents have been happening.” He further said they were due for an Executive Committee emergency meeting Monday night to deliberate on this matter.

Minister of Health and Wellness Alfred Madigele said Government can only install CCTV cameras to remedy the situation.
So far more than 15 cases have been reported.