OPEN LETTER TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Sir,
 
In 1990, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF, through the 40 Tinkhundla centres at that time, invited community leaders to delegate young women and men to be trained as health motivators. They were taken through a three-month intensive course. They graduated and received midwifery kits as well as general first aid material and were taken through an oath that articulated on their commitment until they breathe their last. These women and men diligently observed all teachings and instructions on taking care of health issues and performing midwifery duties wherever emergencies occurred. They earnestly performed all these duties with the love of their communities at heart and they valued the support displayed by the ministry in support of decentralized development.

Refill

On a monthly basis, they were called to their Tinkhundla centres to refill their kits; tablets, bandages, ointments, new updates on health issues, progress reports on their performance and they also received a E20 stipend which increased to E50, E100, E200 and eventually E350 when they last received it in December 2020. Now, what is appalling is the manner in which the same ministry violated the same oath imposed on the health motivators; instead  of allowing them to continue until they were no more, they then blatantly communicated that they were too old and would no longer be engaged. And all suddenly came to a halt much against the community leaders’ pleas that they still needed their services.

Useless

Does it mean that because young blood has been engaged over the years, these are to be dubbed as useless thrash? Is the ministry implying that because of the paltry stipend, these senior citizens deserve to be given such a cold shoulder? Do they not value their contributions over the 30 years? Why are the community leaders’ recommendations negated and why did they refer these motivators to them for approval initially if their contributions would not make any difference? What kind of system looks down upon the elderly? Isn’t there a more dignified approach to get this issue sorted amicably? Are they aware that these elderly have all sorts of heart conditions which could trigger a plethora of sickness simply because of their carelessness? How should the current health motivators, who are serving, develop confidence in the system seeing such negligence and arrogance towards their predecessors?
I am ardently praying that the issue be addressed in a mature approach with those steering being cognizant that these health motivators are citizens of this country and they deserve much better.

Services

Their services have been rendered so selflessly as time, energy and finances have been depleted in the process. The fact that they are still alive inadvertently means they shall continue sacrificing their energy, wisdom and all to the health of the communities they are based in. Let them not be made to bear such a heavy heart caused by the irresponsible conduct of the Health personnel serving under their department. Everyone should remember that we are part of this nation and we must be handled with the utmost care. We can’t embrace such with the 2030 SDGs knocking at our doorsteps, unless we are only mimicking some famous chorus. These elderly health motivators need to be convened and be given proper direction with tangible efforts demonstrating adequate consideration for their grievances.

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