The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has issued a warning over rapidly worsening working conditions at Tembisa Hospital, highlighting that only 2,375 of the 4,926 necessary staff positions are filled, while 147 nurses and 43 doctors have resigned since the start of the year due to unbearable pressures.

Tembisa Hospital Faces Dire Staff Shortfall And Management Gaps

Bongani Banda, DENOSA’s Provincial Chairperson, stated that the hospital has operated for more than two years without a permanent chief executive officer and key management roles remain vacant. He explained that the lack of leadership has left healthcare workers without sufficient support and direction, aggravating existing operational challenges.

“The prolonged absence of a permanent chief executive officer is now exceeding two years, along with vacant key management positions, has left healthcare workers without adequate leadership and support,” Banda said.

Banda added that the recent exodus of experienced staff is placing severe additional strain on remaining personnel and directly compromising patient care. According to DENOSA, the chronic vacancies are unsustainable and require urgent government intervention.

Calls For Recruitment As Department Acknowledges Crisis

DENOSA has called on the Gauteng Department of Health to prioritise immediate recruitment for critical positions across provincial hospitals, warning that continued neglect will deepen burnout and stress among overworked healthcare workers. The organisation further highlighted a “crisis of dignity” impacting many staff, with some reportedly experiencing financial hardship and a decline in morale.

“We are saying that workers are stressed, workers are exhausted and they are anxious,” Simphiwe Gada, DENOSA Deputy President, told healthcare workers, describing the strain many are under.

Responding to DENOSA, Motaletale Modiba of the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed the department is implementing interventions to address ongoing staffing and resource shortages. Modiba acknowledged that certain solutions would require budgetary adjustments, with no immediate resolution provided for the longest-standing issues.

The situation at Tembisa Hospital underscores long-standing challenges within South Africa’s public health sector, with professional bodies calling for greater oversight and systematic reforms to prevent further erosion of service delivery and staff wellbeing. DENOSA indicated it will continue monitoring departmental action on this matter.