Opposition United party for National Development has called for the immediate reinstatement of the sacked nurses.
Party Vice President Canicius Banda says firing of the nurses was not the solution as the country had a shortfall of health personnel.
“That the PF government can derive joy and comfort from firing nurses is clear evidence that there foolishness in its midst,” Banda said.
“Nurses form the backbone of any health care delivery system the world over. Zambia has a shortfall of not less than 20, 000 nurses. As a consequence, some health centres are manned by guards. It follows then that mistreating the few nurses that we have is a veritable act of government folly.”
He said, “What the PF government ought to admit is that the current terrible mess in the health sector upon which the labour dispute is based was caused by the PF government itself. Calling nurses names and firing them is the exact definition of bad leadership. “
Banda who is a medical Doctor and former Residents Doctors Association chairperson had audience with President Michael Sata recently in trying to resolve the crisis in the health sector.
“Mismanaging essential labour in the health sector is NOT part of the SNDP [Sixth National Development Plan]. This is the time for ZUNO to unite its members and show leadership. When one nurse is touched it should mean that all nurses are touched,” he said.
“When one citizen suffers an injustice at the hands of the government it means that all of us have suffered that injustice. One for all! All for one!”
Banda said, “Reinstate all the nurses NOW! PF stop this madness NOW! Remember both the nurse and the suffering patient are your employers! They have the VOTE! Soon, and very soon, you will feel their wrath. They will vote you out. The power is in their hands!”
The post Reinstate the Nurses – UPND appeared first on Zambia Reports.