07 May 2018

Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president says the assault and abuse of nurses at the workplace is not a new issue.

He said some have been killed while on duty.Mr Obonolo Rahube, who was speaking during a peaceful demonstration in Francistown on May 5, said it was important to sensitise the public on the abuse and violence nurses were exposed to.

He said the time had come for nurses and their union to speak against issues negatively affecting them and their general welfare following the recent rape of a fellow nurse in Gaborone.

The BONU president said the union had had meetings with the employer to try and address issues of security at the workplace and lack of accommodation for nurses countrywide.

He said they recommended that nurses should be transported to and from work when on night shift.

Mr Rahube pleaded with Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy to advocate for nurses welfare in Parliament, saying it was important for leaders and the public to be aware of issues affecting nurses.

For his part, Mr Billy promised to take up the issue of nurses as well as to lobby other MPs for support, noting that nurses were the first point of contact at health facilities.

Mr Billy observed that many health facilities did not have security and where they did, the security personnel were not properly trained.

He encouraged the union to be more active in speaking out against issues affecting its members.ENDS