DENOSA Website
Staff shortages, poor working conditions, and reduced funding in the healthcare sector will take centre stage this week as the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in the Eastern Cape holds its 9th Elective Provincial Congress.
The congress, scheduled from 8 to 10 January at Mphekweni Resort in Port Alfred, will examine issues affecting nurses and communities.
Under the theme "Promoting Organisational Growth Through Innovative Practices Towards a Resilient Quality Healthcare and Effective Member Servicing," the gathering will bring delegates from across the province to address pressing healthcare challenges.
DENOSA President Simon Hlungwani will deliver the keynote address. At the same time, stakeholders from the Department of Health, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) will discuss healthcare service delivery issues and propose solutions.
Provincial Secretary, Veli Sinqana, highlighted several critical issues on the agenda, including security concerns in healthcare facilities, attacks on healthcare workers, and the province's readiness for National Health Insurance (NHI).
Sinqana emphasized that the Congress would scrutinize the gross shortage of healthcare staff, poor working conditions, and delays in filling vacant posts.
This discussion will cover how decreased health funding affects rural healthcare, restricts access to vital services like mental healthcare, and contributes to the diminishing number of student nurses at Lilitha Nursing College.
Additionally, delegates will address the effects of recent changes in the nursing education curriculum on healthcare delivery.
The congress will conclude with the election of new provincial leaders to guide DENOSA for the next four years.
