Denver Kisting
14 June 2011
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services’ annual immunisation campaign is expected to kick off today despite threats by the Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu) to boycott it.
Hundreds of Nanu nurses marched to the ministry’s head offices yesterday to hand over a petition to permanent secretary Kahijoro Kahuure.
However, Kahuure was nowhere to be found. He was said to be in the Omaheke Region.
On Friday, the PS said he will not meet nurses “under the banner of Nanu”, as they are not recognised as the official bargaining union.
Moreover, Kahuure said action would be taken against health workers who jeopardise this N$14-million annual campaign.
The nurses had to return to work yesterday without getting an audience with the PS.
After being soothed by Abner Shopati, Nanu secretary general, the nurses undertook to show up for work today.
According to Shopati, a date will now be sought for a meeting with Prime Minister Nahas Angula.
Recently, nurses affiliated to Nanu said that they had had enough with Government’s denial of their plight.
Should Kahuure not listen to their demands, the nurses threatened to boycott the immunisation campaign.
Shopati yesterday said this “was just a political statement”.
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Nurses’ Demonstration Off