Over 300 medical interns are threatening to stop working overtime within five days if the government does not pay them their outstanding funds.
The group of Ministry of Health and Social Services interns yesterday took to the streets of Windhoek to demonstrate against their poor working conditions.
They handed a petition over to the Office of the Prime Minister at Zoo Park.
Group spokesperson Dr Lindford Rhodes said they are yet to be paid overtime remuneration.
“Should our concerns not be addressed within five working days, we will be left with no choice but to exercise our rights that involve strictly adhering to a standard work schedule from Monday to Friday, limited to eight hours per day,” he said.
Rhodes said the interns will revert to working eight hours a day and 40 hours per week with no overtime duties, as directed by the Health Professions Councils of Namibia from 19 to 25 November.
“For an extended period, we have accepted these conditions out of a sense of patriotism and commitment to public service. However, our willingness to adapt appears to have fostered a sense of complacency among management,” he said.
The group is demanding health benefits and medical aid.
This comes after the minister of health and social services’ office argued that medical interns do not qualify for overtime payment as they are not considered government employees.
The petition was received by deputy executive director of health annd social services Romanus Kawana.
“I’ve been sent urgently to meet you here and receive your petition and hand it over to the authorities, who will attend to your concerns,” he said.
Third-year intern Dr Sam Endjala highlighted concerns about the interns’ mental health due to the demanding nature of their internship, which lasts a minimum of two to three years.
“Many of the 300 interns here are now on anti-depressant medication to treat mental issues they have developed under these working conditions,” he said.
The interns continuing their training into a third year face a significant reduction in their allowance without new contracts being signed.
“Third-year interns are still required to work the same hours without any pay,” Endjala said.
An intern who spoke to The Namibian on condition of anonymity highlighted the challenging conditions they endure, including inadequate equipment, a shortage of staff and a lack of training and development opportunities.
“We work in poor conditions as healthcare providers. We have to treat patients without gloves and masks when they are out of stock – without medical aid, also when working with patients with tuberculosis,” the intern said.
Another intern said even if they fall sick they are not allowed to take sick leave for more than 11 days per year.
“We fall sick all the time, because we are exposed to all kinds of illnesses. We put our lives on the line, but we cannot go on sick leave.”
Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue yesterday said she could not comment on the matter as she was on sick leave.
“Please talk to the executive director,” she said.
Efforts to get comment from executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe were not successful.
Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya said the interns submitted their petition to the Office of the Prime Minister.
“They have elevated it beyond our level as the health ministry. You should direct your inquiries to the Office of the Prime Minister,” he said.
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