Hichilema backs striking Nurses

Speaking during his tour of the UTH this morning to assess the situation at the Hospital, Mr. Hichilema appealed to government to pay the nurses the salary they promised them and clean up all the distortions in the new salary arrangements.

Mr. Hichilema says it is the constitutional right of the nurses to express themselves in the manner they have done and that no one should use brutality or charge them.

He says it is unfortunate that the nurses are not in the wards to help patients, but that it is not their fault that this is happening as government has failed to honor its promise them.

Mr Hichilema says when UPND comes to power their approach to doing things will be different stressing that they will increase the salaries of nurses and other public service workers before increasing the salaries of ministers and the president.

He laments that Zambians are losing lives due to the carelessness of the PF government which he says has no love for the people.

And the striking nurses found at the hospital complained of being harassed by Police when they are only expressing themselves peacefully.

The nurses have also called for the resignation of their union President Tom Yung’ana accusing him of lacking direction.

And Mr. Hichilema appealed to the nurses to be strong and hold on stating that he is going to put pressure on the government to resolve the problem.