Nurses Protests: Several Regional and political officials accused of instigating situation

Several nurses attached to Region Ten protested earlier today. The hour-long protest saw several nurses expressing their disgust and frustration over several issues. Among some of the issues that the nurses vented were the significant and questionable spending by the Regional Health Office since the start of COVID 19, nurses being unable to secure several items that were allegedly bought, the significant shortage of several PPPEs, risk allowance and receiving their salaries in a timely manner. However, sources close to the protest pointed out that the protest was reportedly organized by several including a top official at the Mc Kenzie Hospital and heavily supported by political leaders within the region. Some of the nurses later told www.aroundtheregions.com that they view the actions of the regions’ MPs as suspicious and political, taking into account that while they heard about the protest, attempts to get them during the protest to address the agitated nurses proved futile. “We just hope that we (nurses) were not used to satisfy people’s political agenda in Region Ten and more in particular Linden. This region has a track record whereby local (regional) political leaders will use whatever situation is facing residents to capitalize on it,” a senior nursing official said.

Another expressed disappointment that there are senior officials within the health sector who are being accused of organizing the protest. “If this is true then there continues to be evidence to indicate that there are persons who will use whatever situation and or vulnerable individuals to achieve their political agenda.

During the protest, recently appointed Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Gregory Harris was on the scene and spoke to the nurses promising that he and the Region will address their concerns. Further, many of the nurses demanded answers and called for an investigation into how spending had been occurring within the health sector for the past years, stating that while COVID is present the nurses’ interests and wellbeing were not seen as a priority despite the millions that were spent. As such, they want a thorough investigation, adding that whatever info was being concealed it is now being made public.

www.aroundtheregions.com secured a copy of a memo, which was sent to several nurses during the march today. It sought to address their issues of being paid on time. It was revealed by some nurses who took part in the protest march that despite several attempts to secure information from her regarding salaries it was met with bureaucracy and secrecy. As such, many are expressing the view that it was deliberately done to frustrate the nurses, thus resulting in the protest. “This matter could have been handled much better had the acting CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex, Michelle Bollers had informed the nurses in a fair and professional manner on the many issues including their salary, but it seems as though she deliberately withheld the information. There is evidence that every attempt to disrupt the smooth flow of the PPPC administration is being used. “These senior officials have their own agenda and they are seeking every opportunity to make the government look bad because they want it to seem as though the nurses are not being paid as yet and or provided with adequate PPEs. This is wickedness because it isn’t the truth,” a nurse who refused to participate in the protest march said.

Attempts to contact MP Devine Sears and the acting REO Dollette Powers proved futile. Despite several attempts to reach them, this media house was unsuccessful.