“The community health care workers had to abandon their patients so that they could conduct road blocks and work night shifts. They are expected to report for duty every day and yet have not received a cent that is owed to them.”
A HEALTH care worker from the Beaconsfield clinic who is employed to conduct Covid-19 screening at the road blocks has fallen ill due to the virus.
South African Liberating Public Service Union (Salispwu) provincial organiser Thapelo Thole stated that community health care workers had not received payment for the past four months.
“The community health care workers had to abandon their patients so that they could conduct road blocks and work night shifts. They are expected to report for duty every day and yet have not received a cent that is owed to them.”
He added that the community health care worker who had contracted Covid-19 had consulted a private doctor after feeling unwell.
“She received her test results on September 22. She fears that she may have infected her family as her husband and children are now displaying symptoms and are coughing.”
He added that while some community health care workers had signed contracts a number had not.
“Community health care workers are risking their lives without any remuneration, danger allowances or assistance if they become infected.”
The Department of Health did not respond to media enquiries.
