Maravi

Police chase away striking nurses from UTH

Police chase away striking nurses from UTH
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday, June 19, 2009 1:55:55 PM

UNIVERSITY Teaching Hospital (UTH) management this morning sent armed police officers to chase striking health workers who had assembled at the car park near the casualty ward. The police who were at the hospital as early as 07:30 hours were stationed at all the three gates that nurses use to when entering the hospital.

One of the nurses complained of harassment by the police because they were threatened and chased from the hospital.

“They are even following people who stay at the hospital so some have just decided to stay home. The police are there at the three gates and they are asking us to sign at the gate if we are going to work or not, if we refuse they are telling us to go back,” the nurse complained.

“Is this the way they are going to answer our grievances by sending police officers. We are essential workers and we are not even violent. We want to work in this country and not go out but all we are asking is to be met half way by the government.”

The nurses also registered their disappointment over the management of UTH particularly the managing director Dr Peter Mwaba.

The nurses complained of Dr Mwaba being biased towards doctors and not regarding other health personnel in any way.

“We have also been dealing with the highest command to give in the country, Mr. Greenwell Ng’uni to give us a permit to protest but he has been denying us that. We are disappointed that he can instead send police officers. There are police officers inside, some are patrolling in a car manhandling people in uniform and that is why we are standing outside the hospital,” complained another nurses.

“They told us that if we do not leave then they will send for more police officers and unleash tear gas on us. How can they come with guns on innocent people. This is a hospital, a place of refuge where people are even supposed to run to in case of anything. We want to go back to work but let the government listen to our cries as well.”

The health workers who later left the premises vowed not to return to work and would on Monday return in their casual clothes.

But UTH public relations manager Pauline Mbangweta said the police were not deployed to chase the striking health workers but guard the wards that had been closed as a result of the skeleton staff available following the strike.

Mbangweta said the hospital had been receiving reports of thefts from the wards that had been closed hence the decision to call the police.

She said those who were asking the employees to sign in at the gate were UTH security personnel and were even searching vehicles in the evening.

But a check at the hospitals found both the UTH security and the police at the gate near the hospital’s bus station.

Another police vehicle was seen driving around the hospital.

Chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha said on Thursday that those did not want to heed advice to resume work should make their separation with their employers formal.

Labels: NURSES, STRIKE, UTH

posted by MrK @ 12:55 PM