TWO veteran nurses, who answered a government call to come out of retirement and help fill chronic staff shortages, said the Eastern Cape department of health has failed to pay their monthly salaries since January.
The plight of Grahamstown nurses Nomsebenzi Matama and Lindela Majika, both 69, is, however, just the tip of the iceberg according to health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo.
Kupelo yesterday said the salaries of 50 other Cacadu health care professionals had also not been paid for the past three months.
Matama and Majika said morale was low after two other retired nurses and four young community service nurses they worked with at understaffed clinics in Grahamstown had also not been paid for the past three months.
The duo yesterday explained how they became sick after their pleas to be paid fell on deaf ears and they had to borrow money to meet their monthly expenses.
"It does not help me being a Florence Nightingale and going to work when I am so stressed," Matama said.
"I have been to the doctor twice in the past three months and am on medication for headaches and high blood pressure."
Majika said she had been given medication for hyper tension and diabetes.
"It is so worrying I cannot sleep at night. It is very unfair," she said.
Even though they have not been paid since January, Matama - who has had two knee replacement operations in recent years - and Majika still report for work everyday at Grahamstown's Raglan Road clinic to treat more than 50 patients each per shift.
"We answered a call and came out of retirement to help fill staff shortages and this is how we get treated," the veteran nurses said.
Matama and Majika both vowed to keep going to work to help their patients - and inspire young nurses doing their community service - until their contracts expire at the end of March.
"I do not want to let the patients down. They will suffer the most if we do not come back to work," Matama said.
Majika said she also feared the full amount owed to her may be jeopardised if she suddenly stopped going to work.
"I can't afford to be short changed," she explained.
Kupelo yesterday said the health department had only received the Cacadu files for processing last Thursday.
He said 52 Cacadu healthcare professionals had been affected by the delays over the past three months.
Kupelo could not say when the veteran nurses would receive their money.
No salary for 3 months for veteran nurses
TWO veteran nurses, who answered a government call to come out of retirement and help fill chronic staff shortages, said the Eastern Cape department of health has failed to pay their monthly salaries since January.
The plight of Grahamstown nurses Nomsebenzi Matama and Lindela Majika, both 69, is, however, just the tip of the iceberg according to health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo.
Kupelo yesterday said the salaries of 50 other Cacadu health care professionals had also not been paid for the past three months.
Matama and Majika said morale was low after two other retired nurses and four young community service nurses they worked with at understaffed clinics in Grahamstown had also not been paid for the past three months.
The duo yesterday explained how they became sick after their pleas to be paid fell on deaf ears and they had to borrow money to meet their monthly expenses.
"It does not help me being a Florence Nightingale and going to work when I am so stressed," Matama said.
"I have been to the doctor twice in the past three months and am on medication for headaches and high blood pressure."
Majika said she had been given medication for hyper tension and diabetes.
"It is so worrying I cannot sleep at night. It is very unfair," she said.
Even though they have not been paid since January, Matama - who has had two knee replacement operations in recent years - and Majika still report for work everyday at Grahamstown's Raglan Road clinic to treat more than 50 patients each per shift.
"We answered a call and came out of retirement to help fill staff shortages and this is how we get treated," the veteran nurses said.
Matama and Majika both vowed to keep going to work to help their patients - and inspire young nurses doing their community service - until their contracts expire at the end of March.
"I do not want to let the patients down. They will suffer the most if we do not come back to work," Matama said.
Majika said she also feared the full amount owed to her may be jeopardised if she suddenly stopped going to work.
"I can't afford to be short changed," she explained.
Kupelo yesterday said the health department had only received the Cacadu files for processing last Thursday.
He said 52 Cacadu healthcare professionals had been affected by the delays over the past three months.
Kupelo could not say when the veteran nurses would receive their money.
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