Ntsoaki Motaung
The Ministry of Health has failed to resolve the stand-off currently on-going between the Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) and its nurses on strike.
This was said by the President of the Lesotho Nursing Assistant (LNA) Rafael Tlali who indicated that there seems to be no breakthrough on coming up with a solution on the issues surrounding the nurses’ strike that has taken four weeks now.
“We have had several meetings with the QMMH and the Ministry of Health, but there is nothing fruitful that has come out of the meetings. The matter is taken back to the arbitration court meaning the Ministry of Health failed to come with a solution to the matter through their talks with the QMMH,†He said.
On the allegations that QMMH management has threatened not to pay nurses their salaries for this month, Tlali said “we are awaiting to see it happen and see on what grounds they can do that. It is then when it is done when we can take action against it,†he said.
Meanwhile, Pharmacies are closed at QMMH and its three clinics a feat which brings a total of 23 phamarcists and pharmacy technicians that are no longer offering services.
“This has led to complete closure of pharmacies in Likotsi, Mabote and Qoaling Filter clinics. This means Basotho will no longer receive their medications as usual. More drastic measures will be in place if QMMH continues to exploit our members and staff,†LNA has warned.
LNA revealed that they have received an urgent copy of application for a court order.
On the other hand, the Public Relations officer of the QMMH Mothepane Thahane indicated that the hospital pays salaries of its employees retrospectively meaning they are going to be paid their salaries for January and all staff is going to receive their salaries for January paid this month-end.
“Participants on the strike were warned by their employer earlier that while they are on strike the hospital is going to embark on no work no pay criteria in paying the salaries. They will start seeing changes on their salaries this coming month,†she said.
Thahane however, mentioned that Pharmacies QMMH has also warned the QMMH management that they will also join the strike but it is not yet done or confirmed if they are joining the strike.