The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has written to MEC for Health, Phophi Ramathuba, to get clarity on plans to address the plethora of issues at the Limpopo College of Nursing.
The nursing college has five campuses in the province, namely Sovenga, Thohoyandou, Waterberg, Giyani, and Sekhukhune. They all have some overwhelming common challenges.
The College’s campuses have not had an intake of new students on the 3 year and 4 year diploma programme since 2019 due to the department’s financial constraints. This failure to enrol nursing students is despite a crippling nursing staff shortage in the province.
In the Limpopo Department of Health’s reply to a DA question, they indicated vacancy rates of 60% amongst Specialised Registered Nurses, 28.42% amongst Registered Nurses, 23.3% amongst Enrolled Nurses, 38.2% amongst Enrolled Nurses Auxiliary and 41% amongst Specialised Nurses posts.
The large number of vacant posts within the college also remains a great challenge. The college has a vacancy rate of 74% across core and support staff with only 257 posts filled out of 995 posts (738 posts vacant). The position of principal of the college has been vacant since 2013, while the vice principal posts for Sovenga and Thohoyandou have been vacant for over 6 years.
There are another 16 Head of Discipline (HOD) posts that are vacant for periods ranging from 1 month to 5 years. 48 lecturer posts have also been left vacant for periods of up to 5 years. It is clear that the mismanagement by the department has left a leadership vacuum in the college.
There are no drivers in all college campuses and in most cases the campus managers improvise. There is also a shortage of staff in finance, human resource, supply chain and procurement.
In all the campuses more than 75% of the budget goes towards compensation of employees and that leaves no funds for goods and services as well as maintenance. As a result, the libraries in the campuses are not well equipped and in addition, the campuses do not have well-functioning internet connectivity. The poor maintenance has also led to leaking pipes, broken windows, and unkept surroundings.
MEC Ramathuba and her department need to address the vacant senior management posts and increase funding to the college in order to ensure its efficient operation. The neglect and mismanagement of the college also threatens the academic future of nursing students in Limpopo.
The DA believes that the people of Limpopo deserve quality healthcare workers and for the high nursing vacancy rate to be addressed. This begins by ensuring that they are well trained and equipped nursing students to serve our communities.