By Wendy Magagula

MBABANE: Dr Vusi Magagula, the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health said government engaged the striking nurses at Mavuso Trade Centre on Tuesday and an interim agreement was reached for them to resume their duties while their demands are being addressed within the structures.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Wednesday, the Director of Health Services said the nurses resumed their duties around 4pm yesterday(Tuesday) and the management at Mavuso was working towards addressing their grievances within the government structures.

“We engaged them through their management at Mavuso and an agreement was reached that they resume their duties while we address their grievances” said the Health Services Director.

On another note, Bheki Mamba, the President of the Swaziland Democratic  Nurses Union(SADNU) told this publication on Monday that the nurses strike that started at Mavuso Trade Centre on Monday might intensify to other health institutions should government fails to provide risk allowances and working equipment for the health workers.

“We have engaged government several times demanding payment of our risk allowance and in our engagements, we also highlighted the non-availability of working equipment particularly Personal Protective Clothing(PPEs). It is for this reasons that our members at Mavuso held a meeting with their management complaining about the structure, that building is making it difficult for nurses to assist patients because there are no windows  for fresh air, yet there are many patients admitted there now. The health workers then issued a notice to their management that if the issues were not addressed, they will engage in a strike action, that’s why they decided to strike. We are reminding government that if they delay to resolve these issues, more health workers within other health institutions in the country will engage in a strike action" said the nurses union President.

the strike will intensify to other health institutions” he said.