Occupational Health and Safety in Health Facilities

Technical working group workshop for Eastern Cape Department of Health and Department of Employment and Labour

The MEC for Eastern Cape Department Of Health requested ILO Support and intervention on how to implement OHS workplace systems in order to strengthen COVID-19 response.
With guidance from Department of Employment and Labour, the ILO worked to support on this request and worked with DEL
to form a Technical Working Group (TWG) consisting of ILO, DEL and ECDOH Department which included representatives from its recognized Trade Unions to oversee and provide strategic guidance.


Consultations were held with various social partners and 4 Labour Unions joined to form the technical working group., namely
DENOSA, HOSPERSA, PSA and NEHAWU.

The purpose of the Technical Working Group was to provide a consultative forum that can effectively facilitate communication and engagement to improve the COVID-19 workplace response to ensure that Health Workers are safe.

Objectives of the Technical Working Group were as follows:
  • Mapping of the action plan for implementation of recommendations on Health Facility Assessments
  • Reflection on ECDOH OHS, Wellness & Disease Management and Labour Relations Environment.
  • Review of TWG Workplan
  • Presentation of identified relevant tools/instruments
  • Introduction and orientation on HealthWISE Methodology
OHS expert, Ms Bulelwa Huna based in the National DEL stressed that “It was a very fruitful engagement where all cards were placed on the table so that all parties can come with a common solution to ensure that the health care sector in the Eastern Cape is able to fully deliver a service that is effective for the people of the province through workers that are protected and able to improve the service provided to the citizens while they are being provided with a safe and healthy working environment where by their quality of life is not compromised.

Mask to Mask host Mavuso further expressed her gratitude for the magnificent support shown by the honourable MEC for Health Ms Nomakhosazana Meth together with the Department Head, Dr Rolene Wagner, the ILO for all logistic arrangements that led to the success of the meeting and Organised Labour for responding to the clarion call of bettering conditions and service delivery.