North West community health care workers say 'we don't want bikes, we want more money'

The North West’s move to put more than 300 community health workers on bicycles has met resistance from workers and union representatives as they alleged they were never consulted about the bikes – and that they remain underpaid.

North West Province MEC for Health Dr Magome Masike recently bimanual over 364 bicycles to community doctors operating within the province’s Dr statesman District, that is presently piloting the National insurance (NHI).  

The North West – and Gauteng’s Tshwane NHI pilot distict – area unit leading the country’s NHI pilots within the preparation of ward-based reach groups. Comprised of community doctors and headed by nurses, these ward-based groups conduct door-to-door health screenings and education with a very specialise in the health of pregnant ladies and kids beneath the age of 5. 

Both districts have over seventy such groups. in keeping with Masike, the bicycles were meant to ease the burden of home visits and he another additional were presently to come back. 

But the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) Regional Secretary Sello Hlatywayo says community doctors weren't consulted regarding whether or not they would really like to use bicycles for home visits.

Read: Nehawu demand state-owned pharmaceutical company

“We don’t need the bicycles,” aforesaid Hlatywayo, adding that a number of the doctors were too massive to suit on the bicycles. “The staff may get entangled in accidents or lacerate whereas victimisation the bicycles.” 

Department of Health Provincial advocate Tebogo Lekgetoane aforesaid the department would work closely with the police and also the traffic department to confirm the bicycles don't seem to be taken or victimised and also the community doctors weren't annoyed.

Community health care staff additionally say {they need|they need|they require} their monthly R2000-stipend increased  to R4000 – and that they want permanent employment contracts. 

Dr Kenneth Kuanda NHI Project Manager, Dr Uma Nagpal, aforesaid no medical expert would be forced to use the bicycles.