Doctors and nurses who were hired at different Gauteng Hospitals during the peak of Covid-19 in 2021, have expressed frustration over the Department of Health's failure to pay their salaries in April. This is despite the fact that the provincial department was allocated a budget of R600 million by the Gauteng Government in March this year to retain them after their contracts expired a few months ago. 

THE DEPARTMENT APOLOGISES

Gauteng Health Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said some of the former COVID-19 staff were paid and the ones that were retained will receive their back pays in two weeks' time. "We apologise for the inconvenience. This is a matter that is being handled through the HR units across the different facilities. They continue to engage with affected employees just to keep them updated on this development." Modiba said.

CAN'T EAT AN APOLOGY

A nurse whose identity is known to ZiMoja said she is frustrated because she has two children to look after."School transport drivers don't want excuses at the end of the month, they want what's theirs. We need to pay fees to commute or sometimes drive to work and all that needs money. How are we expected to tend to patients with warmth and smiles when we are financially frustrated? It's not fair on us, our poor patients, and our families. This needs to be resolved soon," she said.