JOBLESS

The Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) has raised alarm over the growing number of unemployed nurses and midwives in Botswana, saying the shortage of staff in hospitals and clinics continues to place both healthcare workers and patients at risk.Speaking during the 2026 Botswana Nurses Day commemoration in Shakawe, BONU President Oreeditse Kelebakgosi revealed that 797 nurses and midwives remain unemployed despite the country’s health facilities struggling with staff shortages.Kelebakgosi said the situation has become worse in remote areas such as Okavango, where some maternity wards and clinics are operating with very few midwives.He revealed that the JPK maternity ward in the area is currently operating with only eight midwives, two of whom are on permanent and pensionable terms, while six are on short-term contracts.According to Kelebakgosi, less than 10 midwives are also expected to cover clinics and health posts in the district, a situation he said weakens the delivery of quality healthcare services.“We demand immediate action to address staffing gaps and improve staffing norms in all government health institutions,” he said.Kelebakgosi cried that healthcare workers continue to work under difficult conditions while communities expect quality services from poorly resourced facilities.He said shortages of essential medical supplies and inadequate staffing continue to place pressure on nurses and midwives across the country. The BONU president said nurses are often the first point of contact for patients, yet they are forced to absorb public anger over challenges beyond their control.“This situation has left many nurses and midwives vulnerable to abuse, insults, intimidation and threats from members of the community,” he said.He added that nurses should not be forced to beg for better working conditions considering the delicate role they play in society.Kelebakgosi further called on government to ratify and domesticate the International Labour Organisation Nursing Personnel Convention of 1977, also known as Convention No.149.The Convention outlines standards on fair working conditions, adequate staffing, professional development and protection of the dignity of nurses.BONU also called for urgent review of the Nursing and Midwifery Act and its regulations, saying the process has dragged on for years without conclusion.On labour matters, Kelebakgosi said BONU submitted a position paper in January this year regarding negotiations on conditions of service in the health sector and is still waiting for a response from the employer.He also raised concern over transfer policies within the health sector, saying some nurses remain in one workstation for as long as 15 years, limiting career growth and affecting family stability.“An equitable transfer system is essential to improve morale and strengthen healthcare delivery,” he said.Kelebakgosi also urged government to modernise nursing education by introducing residency-style training, allowing nurses to study while working in their communities.He called for Institutes of Health Sciences to be upgraded to offer degree programmes to improve professional growth within the nursing profession.According to BONU, government’s failure to sponsor post-basic nursing training last year due to financial difficulties negatively affected career development opportunities for nurses.The union president also appealed to companies, individuals and training institutions to support nurses’ educational development.Kelebakgosi urged government to upgrade some primary hospitals into district hospitals equipped with specialist personnel and better medical equipment.

Explore

More

News

JOBLESS