The Nurses Union expresses its annoyance at the unfavourable treatment they will be receiving in the near future. It concerns ‘Leave for self-isolation’ in case of Covid 19 positivity. They believe that in the case of any hospital employee, this should be treated as simply as Occupational Hazard. The Union has publicly made the claim for a Covid Leave.
On this Friday, the Union has officially launched an awareness campaign under the slogan ‘Nurse Lives Matter’.
Unfair measure to Nurses
The source of this annoyance is the new circular issued by the Secretary for Public Service’s office a week ago. It concerns all civil servants and stipulates that, as Nasser Essa, the President of the Nurses’ Union, attests, “from now on, if a civil servant is tested positive for Covid, his or her minimum 10 days of isolation will be deducted, either from his or her Sick Leaves account, or Local Leaves, or else from his or her Vacation Leaves“. They are not asking for a special treatment but for a reconsideration of this new measure. Because, as our interlocutor says, “As front liners, hospital employees are directly exposed to the virus. In the course of our work. We have to consider the positive case as an Occupational Hazard just like an Injury Leave for another sector. I implore the government to reconsider this measure of ‘Leave for self-isolation’ for all hospital employees of all grades”.
No party- Health service in constant mourning
Speaking to the press, the President of the Nurses Union appealed to the government not to allow or even organise end of year celebrations. Following the spate of deaths of nurses, doctors, specialists, paramedics among others, the Nurses Union considers the entire medical sector to be in mourning. Nasser Essa also elaborated on the injustice that nurses suffer. Thus, as a sensitization campaign for the protection and safety but above all, “the treatment with dignity of nurses, we are launching a T-shirt with the slogan Nurse Lives Matter which we ask all nurses to wear during this week of campaigning, as a way of participation“.
Candle Light Memorial this Monday
In addition, the Union is holding a candle light memorial on Monday 13 December from 7pm to 9pm to pay tribute to all front liners and medical staff who have lost their lives in the fight against the pandemic. It will take place in the courtyard of the Port Louis Cathedral. The ceremony will be attended by the families of the bereaved, the police, but those concerned are asking the Minister of Health and the Prime Minister to support them by their presence. The Union has been authorised to organise the ceremony in batches of 50 people for the wreath laying.
