…as company leaves the national referral hospital
Ntsoaki Motaung
Despite the fact that Tšepong has vacated the Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) Members of the Lesotho Nursing Association (LNA) still expect them to come back in the country and answer for their case.
According to the LNA Secretary General ‘Mamonica Mokhesi, LNA has filed a case against Tšepong for unfair dismissal before the Directorate on Disputes Prevention and Resolutions (DDPR).
“Despite the fact that Tšepong has moved from QMMH we still expect them to come and respond to a case we have filed against them for unfair dismissal. The set down for that case is on the 8th August. Though we have filed for unfair dismissal we are still of the point that Tšepong should pay our members their money from as far back as 2014 when they were underpaid,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the QMMH Thakane Mapeshoane has confirmed that Tšepong is vacating the premises of QMMH after they have received a letter directing them to have left by the last day of August 2021.
Mapeshoane indicated that although Tšepong is vacating, health services will still be offered.
“The going of Tšepong does not mean the Hospital is going to stop its services, the hospital will continue with its services but that will be carried out manually. That is because Tšepong has taken its system and other things that include decorating pictures, oil heaters as well as policies and Standard Operating Procedures. This does not include medical equipment and staff and that is why the hospital will still manage to continue providing services,” she said.
Meanwhile, speaking at a media briefing at the Health Ministry headquarters in Maseru yesterday, indicated that the government through the Ministry of Health is well capable of taking over the running of the QMMH, adding that they hope for a smooth handover.
He, however, bemoaned the fact that Tšepong had overreached, removing even items they were rightfully not supposed to remove from the hospital since the Tšepong Consortium consists of a number of companies inclusive of Netcare.
Sekatle indicated that there is a task force team formed by members of companies that form Tšepong consortium as well as the government that would discuss the exit plan from the PPE agreement.
“The team is going to discuss every other issue pertaining to money including money owed by the government to Tšepong as well financial issues that affect the nurses. Also the assets and equipment, human resource and documents and most importantly the health services,” he said.
