Strike of non-medical staff: A worrying situation at the Neuro-psycho-pathological Center of Kinshasa
The dysfunction caused by the strike of non-medical staff at the Neuro-psycho-pathological Center of Kinshasa (CNPP) is causing increasing concern. In recent months, the establishment has experienced major difficulties in its operation, which has had a considerable impact on doctors and on-call staff.
According to a Radio Okapi reporter who visited the site, the CNPP is suffering cruelly from the absence of non-medical staff. Doctors find themselves helpless in the absence of staff to follow medical prescriptions. The sick guards also testify to the difficulty of carrying out their duties without the help of nurses.
Jean Kaswa, neuropsychiatrist and dean of doctors at the CNPP, expresses his concern about the impact of this strike on patient care. He highlights the absence of supervisors and the difficulty of managing patients without the help of non-doctor staff.
For their part, the sick guards denounce the risks they face in the absence of nursing staff. Adeline, a nurse, explains the difficulties of managing patients with neurological disorders: “An angry patient can easily attack the nurse because they have brain problems.”
Despite the strike, some nurses provide a minimum service for the most complex cases. Florence Namazo, a nurse on strike but present on site, shares her precarious situation and the risk she runs by caring for patients alone at night.
This strike by non-doctor staff not only affects the CNPP, but also many other public hospitals in the region. Doctors and sick guards are therefore calling on the government to find a rapid solution to regularize the situation of these personnel who are essential to the proper functioning of hospitals.
It is imperative that the government provides a favorable response to the demands of non-medical staff in order to ensure adequate care for patients in these establishments. The health and well-being of patients cannot be compromised due to administrative issues. The resolution of this strike is a priority for the proper functioning of hospitals and the safety of healthcare professionals.