Western Cape hospitals buckling under pressure of rising staff shortages
(World News South Africa)

Cape Town – Health-care workers at key hospitals in the battle against the coronavirus are faltering under the pressure of staff shortages as the province pleads for R113 million in budget shortfalls. Some health workers warn increasing Covid-19 infections among staff are putting a strain on those who have to carry the load. The province is forced to make use of agency staff to cover the gaps. Provincial head of health, Keith Cloete, said the department was struggling to achieve the planned 135 critical care beds in the public sector mainly as a result of staff shortages linked to absenteeism from coronavirus infections, agency staff who refuse to work in Covid-19 areas and no significant...