Nurses home at Helen Joseph Hospital fit for pigs

10 December 2015

Congress of the People is shocked at the appalling and deplorable living conditions of nurses at the Helen Joseph hospital. We cannot believe that the ANC led government can be so impervious to their suffering and hardship.

While some of President Zuma 's ministers abuse taxpayers’ money to stay in the most luxurious and expensive hotels, nurses are forced to stay in places fit for pigs.

It is utterly scandalous and reprehensible that the nurses do not have toilets. They have to go to neighbouring residents to relieve themselves. At night they have to use buckets to urinate in.

Neither do the nurses have proper and decent kitchen facilities. The entire building is in a shocking state.

Accommodation for nurses is frequently in the news. Not long ago, nurses had to go through hell at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

All the grandiose promises of President Zuma have come to naught. The good story he told last year is more like a nightmare for most people.

COPE calls upon the Human Rights Commission to take action against the Department of Health for violating the rights of these nurses. We also urge the Human Rights Commission to visit government accommodation for nurses all around the country.

Issued by Dennis Bloem, Spokesperson, COPE, 10 December 2015