The nurses’ strike in the Kasai-Oriental province continues to make waves. Last Wednesday, during a union meeting, the nurses decided to toughen up their strike action by demanding in particular the alignment of their bonuses, their mechanization and their advancement in grade. This decision follows widespread discontent among the profession, which feels minimized, mistreated and discredited. Nurses emphasize the fact that, deprived of resources and motivation, they cannot provide quality care to patients.
This situation has direct consequences on the population. Indeed, in the absence of nurses, it is the doctors who must take charge of all the tasks, which creates a gap in the organization of care services. Some patients testify to this situation and express their frustration at the absence of nurses to care for them properly.
Faced with this prolonged strike, the health authorities of Kasai-Oriental are sounding the alarm. The head of the Provincial Health Division, Dr Bonheur Tshiteku, called on nurses to suspend their strike action, in particular to allow the implementation of a vaccination campaign against measles. Indeed, the province is facing a measles epidemic which has already caused 17 deaths out of 1,029 reported cases. Dr Tshiteku stresses the importance of vaccination to prevent the spread of disease and save children’s lives.
Pending a resolution of the conflict, it is essential to find solutions to guarantee the continuity of health care. The current situation highlights the challenges faced by nurses and highlights the importance of their essential role in the healthcare system. It is crucial to recognize and value their work, by offering them dignified working conditions and responding to their legitimate demands.
In conclusion, the nurses’ strike in Kasai-Oriental highlights the difficulties encountered by this profession and the impact on the population who find themselves deprived of quality care. It is essential to find common ground and respond to the demands of nurses in order to guarantee a functional health system that meets the needs of the population.