𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗨, 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗦𝗟𝗨𝗚𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧

In an escalation of tensions, the Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) has taken a defiant stance against the Ministry of Health, igniting a fiery dispute over “call to duty” functions. The union’s decision, announced on January 24, 2025, to strictly adhere to a court judgment, has forced the Ministry to issue a statement calling on nurses and midwives to continue with their duties including call to duty. But it was quickly rebuffed by BONU – on the grounds that the Ministry was clutching at straws.

The crux of the conflict lies in the union’s demand for fair compensation and working conditions for nurses and midwives who are rostered for on-call duties. BONU has declared that its members will no longer be required to stay near their workstations during their free time, a practice that the union argues unfairly restricts their personal freedom. Instead, healthcare workers will only respond to duty calls, with the Ministry and District Health Management Teams (DHMT) tasked with arranging transportation.

The Ministry of Health, however, views the union’s stance as a breach of professional conduct and ethical obligations. It insists that nurses continue to perform all call to duty functions, warning that failure to do so would violate their conditions of service. This clash of perspectives follows a series of meetings in December 2024, where it was agreed that the matter would be referred for negotiations. The Ministry, claiming surprise, by the union’s abrupt decision, has urged BONU to retract their statement to avoid confusion among healthcare workers and the communities they serve.

The backdrop to this dispute is a longstanding legal battle. In November 2023, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of BONU, declaring the current on-call duty system unlawful. This judgment has emboldened the union to push for changes, arguing that the current system is untenable and exploitative. Despite the court’s ruling, the Ministry and the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) have been slow to implement changes, leading to the current impasse.

BONU’s actions have sparked a broader discussion about the working conditions of nurses in Botswana, highlighting issues of overwork and inadequate compensation. The union has long argued that nurses are overburdened and underpaid, calling for an overhaul of the healthcare system to ensure fair treatment and remuneration. This call resonates with many healthcare workers who feel undervalued, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed unprecedented demands on their profession.

Amid this turmoil, the public remains caught in the crossfire. Patients who rely on public healthcare services are understandably concerned about the potential impact of this dispute on their access to medical care. Community leaders have expressed fears that any disruption to healthcare services could exacerbate existing challenges within the system, which is already grappling with shortages of medical personnel and resources.

The Ministry, in its response, has reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue. It has called on all parties to return to the negotiating table to find a mutually beneficial solution. However, with both sides entrenched in their positions, reaching a consensus may prove challenging. The Ministry’s insistence that BONU’s statement was ill-advised suggests a fraught path ahead.

Observers note that this standoff is symptomatic of larger systemic issues within Botswana’s public health sector. Inadequate funding, staff shortages, and outdated policies have long plagued the system, necessitating urgent reforms. The current dispute, while centered on call to duty functions, reflects deeper frustrations that have been simmering beneath the surface for years.

For now, the nurses and midwives of Botswana stand at a crossroads. Their resolve to fight for better conditions is clear, but the path to achieving their goals is fraught with uncertainty. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Ministry and BONU can bridge their differences and forge a new path forward for Botswana’s healthcare system.

As negotiations loom, the hope remains that dialogue will prevail over discord. Both the Ministry and the union have a shared responsibility to ensure that the healthcare needs of the Botswana populace are met without compromise. The critical question is whether they can find common ground in time to avert a crisis.

In the end, this dispute is about more than just call to duty functions. It’s about the future of healthcare in Botswana, the rights of its workers, and the well-being of its people. As the nation waits with bated breath, the resolution of this conflict will undoubtedly shape the landscape of Botswana’s public healthcare for years to come, especially with a new young minister in charge – Dr Steven Modise and his assistant, Lawrence Ookeditse.