MBABANE: King Mswati's Government has released a statement confirming that a process to reinstate the four hundred and ten(410) nurses who were retrenched has resumed.
This comes after this Swaziland News published a series of articles exposing how King Mswati systematically destroyed the health system and subsequently ventured into the business of owning private clinics, the King is allegedly linked to Michelo Shakantu Clinic Group.
Efforts to reach Mayibongwe Masangwane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union(SWADNU) proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini who was leading the investigation by this publication into the health crisis welcomed the reinstatement of the health workers but said the collapsing health system would remain a priority for the independent media.
“We appreciate these new developments but we need to understand that the reinstatement of the nurses is not enough, we must continue with the investigation to ascertain if they are receiving competitive salaries and working equipment. We are yet to demand answers as to why health professionals who were trained for over five(5) years, risked their lives to fight COVID-19 only to be employed on contracts and be treated like casual employees. This is a direct attack to the members of the public who are expected to be treated by these nurses,” said the editor.
In a statement released on Thursday, Senator Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health said Government has approved the hiring of 479 health workers.
“We are pleased to update the Nation that Government has approved the Ministry’s request to create three hundred and ninety-four (394) new positions from a budget of seventy million (R70 million) as well as a waiver to fill eighty-five (85) vacant positions”,reads the statement in part.
Government to reinstate over 400 nurses.