What You Need to Know
Nurses in Lesotho have launched a go-slow action due to unpaid March salaries, disrupting health services nationwide. The Lesotho Nursing and Midwifery Organisation reports that only critical services are operational. The Ministry of Health attributes the delay to funding issues, while nurses demand timely payment for their essential work.
Africa-Press – Lesotho. Health services across Lesotho have been disrupted after nurses initiated a go-slow action, citing failure by the Ministry of Health to pay their March salaries.
Secretary General of the Lesotho Nursing and Midwifery Organisation, Mr. Morephe Santi, says the industrial action has limited services in public health facilities with only critical areas currently operational. These include maternal services, casualty, theatre, and intensive care units (ICU).
Mr. Santi indicated that the Ministry has attributed the delay to a lack of funds, noting that a request has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and that they are awaiting a response.
However, he described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that nurses continue to work tirelessly to serve the nation and deserve timely payment for their services.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Mateboho Mosebekoa, has confirmed that the matter is being addressed.
She assured that an update will be provided in due course.
The go-slow is expected to continue until the salary issue is resolved, raising concerns about access to healthcare services for the public.
Lesotho’s healthcare system has faced numerous challenges, including funding shortages and workforce issues. The ongoing struggle for timely salary payments for healthcare workers has led to industrial actions in the past, highlighting the critical need for sustainable funding and support for public health services. This situation reflects broader systemic issues within the country’s healthcare infrastructure, affecting both providers and patients alike. The government’s response to these challenges is crucial for restoring normalcy in health services and ensuring that healthcare workers are adequately compensated for their vital roles.
