South Africa Health Department Fails to Deliver Nurses’ Uniforms on Time

The Department of Health has once again failed to meet a deadline to provide nurses at public hospitals and clinics with uniforms by 1 September. Instead of issuing uniforms, the department has opted to pay nurses a one-time allowance of R3,307.60 by the end of November for them to purchase their own uniforms.

This delay marks a continuation of previous missed deadlines, as the initial target for supplying nurses with uniforms was set for October of the previous year. In lieu of uniforms, nurses were given a lump sum of R3,153 to cover the costs of purchasing their own attire.

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the allowance, deeming it insufficient for nurses to afford the necessary uniforms. According to DENOSA, the 84,000 members of the organization struggle to purchase even a single set of uniforms with the allocated amount.

Historically, nurses have received an annual allowance to procure their uniforms. However, a new agreement signed in March 2023 aimed to transition from providing allowances to directly supplying uniforms to nurses. The agreement specified that nurses would be furnished with seven sets of uniforms over a two-year period, each set comprising essential items like dresses, skirts, tops, trousers, belts, shoes, jackets, and jerseys.

As the 1 October 2023 deadline approached, the Department of Health encountered challenges in the procurement process, leading to a postponement of uniform distribution to 1 September 2024. In the interim, a temporary allowance was reinstated. The procurement of uniforms was slated to be conducted through tenders in individual provinces.

Despite efforts to address concerns raised by DENOSA in a meeting in June 2024, the department acknowledged ongoing issues with suppliers, indicating a further delay in meeting the revised deadline.

Department spokesperson Foster Mohale attributed the delays to procurement challenges in certain provinces, emphasizing the department’s commitment to resolving these issues promptly. A revised plan has been proposed, setting a new deadline of 1 September 2025 for the provision of uniforms.

In the meantime, nurses are set to receive a one-time uniform allowance of R3,307.60 by 30 November 2024. However, DENOSA remains critical of the amount, highlighting the financial strain it places on nurses attempting to purchase adequate uniforms. The union advocates for a centralized procurement system akin to those utilized for police and military uniforms, citing concerns over quality and corruption risks in the current procurement process.

DENOSA spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo emphasized the importance of ensuring quality standards in uniform procurement to safeguard against potential corruption. The union’s stance underscores the need for effective measures to address the challenges faced by nurses in accessing appropriate uniforms within the healthcare sector.