Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo’s visit to health facilities to raise awareness around Covid-19 was met with a picket outside the Khayelitsha Health Centre.
The disgruntled community-based healthcare workers protested outside the facility saying they wanted to have “a long overdue chat” with Mbombo.
Zanele Ndibongo said they wanted to speak to the MEC in person because she’s allegedly been ignoring them.
“We have been sending our demands to her, but she never replied and did not want to come and see us,” said Ndibongo.
Among others, the workers are demanding a level wage and housing allowance.
DEMANDING: Workers want a level wage
Ndibongo said they want the Western Cape Government to recognise and compensate them adequately for their hard work.
“The amount of money we get does not reflect the amount of work we do because we work in the clinic and also outside in our community,” she said.
Ndibongo said they allowed Mbombo to come inside the facility in order for them to talk to her and she did listen to them.
She said the MEC told them she was aware of their demands, but she thought she had responded to them.
“She promised to get back to us with our demands and that she knew about them,” said Ndibongo.
However, in response, Mbombo said the community health workers are appointed by Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) to conduct community work.
The MEC said she was the wrong person to approach about the demands, and urged the community healthcare workers to reach out to the national health department instead.