Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has reiterated the call for the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers, saying no-one should risk their lives and work without it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He expressed these sentiments after the department’s meeting with six major worker unions at the weekend. Unions raised a variety of issues, from the occupational safety of health-care workers and infrastructure to remuneration issues that have caused great tensions in the workplace.“It should be clear to all that the primary protection of health workers is a matter on which we will all agree with no exception. Our approach must therefore be to support the simple ethos: no PPE no work.
Nine issues were identified as needing urgent attention, according to the department. These included the relationship between the health department and unions, occupational health, psychosocial support, monitoring of PPE, human resources, infrastructure, transport and catering, risk allowances and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
After the meeting, Mkhize ordered MECs from all provinces to conclude and present a report within 10 days on their compliance with occupational health and safety protocols.
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