As the state Department of Health works to solve workforce shortages and strengthen healthcare frontline workers, an additional 553 nurses reported for duty in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
The 553 nurses have been hired through March 31, 2023, with another 84 positions scheduled to be filled soon, according to a statement released by the department this week.
Many of the successful nurses were either post-community services nurses or former eligible COVID-19 contract workers, according to Mkhululi Ndamase, a ministry official.
The group reported for duty in clinics and hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay (75 nurses), OR Tambo (74), Alfred Nzo (73), Joe Gqabi (73), Chris Hani (66), BCM (66), and Amathole (66) districts (56).
These are among the 637 fixed-term contract employees hired by the department till the end of the current fiscal year.
Nomakhosazana Meth, the MEC for Health, greeted the new nurses.
“The appointment of 553 nurses is part of our plans to ensure we address staff shortages and continue delivering quality health and care services to the millions of people who rely on the public sector for their health needs.
“We welcome these warriors and heroes without capes to the department, and we are confident that they will contribute to our endeavours of working towards universal healthcare.
“The nurses are spread out throughout the province. We want to congratulate them for being successful after going through the recruitment process. We know they will work hard for the betterment of our people,” the MEC said.
The MEC, Head of Department, Dr Rolene Wagner, and senior management met with former COVID-19 contract workers and post community service nurses trade unions in Bhisho at the end of April to discuss their demands for employment.
At the meeting, the department stated that 637 funded positions will be advertised and filled on a fixed-term contract basis.
The nurses were hired on fixed-term contracts after the department set aside more than R700 million to fill 2 941 funded vacancies in the current financial year.
1 114 of the 2 941 positions to be filled are nurse positions in various categories.
A total of 73 Emergency Medical Services workers have been assigned to the department. The 73 positions are among 139 in the yearly recruitment strategy for 2022/23.
35 EMS Officers Grade 3, 19 paramedics, and 19 shift commanders are among the 73.
Within the available funds, the department remains committed to filling all vacancies.