Union Blasts KZN Health Department After 16 Nurses Infected With COVID-19

Sandile Motha

The KZN department of health should be held directly responsible for it shortcomings in exercising due diligence and glaring failure to protect nurses from contracting the novel Corona virus, according to Democratic Nurses Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) following the closure of the General Gizenga Mpanza Memorial Hospital.

The health facility, formerly Stanger Hospital, came under scrutiny this week when it emerged that 16 nurses had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.  

Speaking to Inside Metro this week, union provincial secretary Mandla Shabangu said the catastrophic consequences at General Gizenga Mpanza Hospital would have been avoided had the department heeded the call to protect workers after some patients admitted as early as February at the hospital exhibited symptoms of the Corona virus.

“We are in this crisis because we have a political head and senior management who are hostile to workers’ lives. We warned the department well