Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa has apologised to Community Healthcare Workers (CHW) who have not been paid by the department and has committed that workers will be paid early this week.
“The Department regrets that the CHWs were not paid their February 2018 stipends on time due to technical glitches in the payment system which has subsequently been resolved. The payments will be made early next week,” said MEC Ramokgopa on Sunday.
The MEC dismissed rumours that the services of CHWs would be terminated and allayed the fears of workers losing their jobs.
“The Gauteng Department of Health wishes to assure the public that Community Health Workers (CHWs) services are central to health promotion and community based services in the strengthening of Primary Health Care and the National Health Insurance. These services will not be terminated as rumoured,” said the MEC.
CHWs includes providing health education, counselling and visiting patients and the elderly at their homes.
“Through this program the department aims to empower communities to optimise wellness, encourage early referral to clinics and also to reduce long queues in health facilities through the community based chronic medicine distribution services,” said the Health MEC. – SAnews.gov.za
