The Limpopo Department of Health has advertised 523 nursing positions.
Commenting on the development, the Public Servants Association (PSA) on Friday said it “commends the Limpopo Department of Health for finally heeding the Unions call made to fill vacant positions”.
The PSA added: “The Department has advertised 523 nursing positions, which is a progressive and partial step bearing in mind that the Department has a total of 1817 vacancies”.
The PSA said vacant positions not only affected service delivery but also caused stagnation in the careers of employees.
Prospects of upward mobility were thwarted by the “silent moratorium” the union said.
“In addition, the situation took a toll on employees health as they had to double efforts to cover the tasks associated with vacancies,” said the PSA.
“The burden increased further when the Department pushed for 24-hour services at many clinics without the necessary and adequate human resources.
The PSA said communities were constantly attacking these employees, accusing them of laziness and not being committed to their jobs, without understanding the impact of the governments failure to ensure adequate staff at almost all departments.
“Access to health services remains a critical need for the most vulnerable members of society who depend on public health institutions as they cannot afford private medical institutions and practitioners,” said the PSA.
“Elderly citizens often spend an entire day at local clinics for examination and chronic medication.
“The Limpopo Department of Health has led the way in addressing service delivery and it is trusted that other departments will take similar steps.”
The Limpopo Department of Education, for example, has 9 850 vacancies, the union said.
“If the Province is not prepared to fill these vacancies, service delivery will remain a dream, and government will continue failing the people of Limpopo who depend on these services as part of their fundamental rights,” said the PSA.
“Failure to provide these services is tantamount to denying people of their rights and is contrary to the provisions of the South African Constitution.
“The PSA again urges the Limpopo Premier to intervene and ensure that the 13 800 vacancies in Limpopo are filled.”
The PSA said the province was not able to ensure excellent service delivery to citizens without adequate employees.
“Provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal embarked on mass employment, which is especially appropriate given high unemployment figures, especially amongst young people,” the PSA said.
“By not addressing the more than 100 000 vacancies nationwide, government is setting a poor example for the private sector by sending a message service delivery and unemployment are not regarded as problems.”
