Reuters

South African President Jacob Zuma (left) and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe take a salute before Zuma's State of the Nation address at Parliament in Cape Town.

Government plans to refurbish hospitals and nurses' homes was welcomed by nursing union Denosa on Friday.

“It is in line with our call to fix our health facilities in preparation to the successful roll out of the all-important National Health Insurance,” Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA president Dorothy Matebeni said.

However, Matebeni said she was concerned that President Jacob Zuma was not specific in his state-of-the-nation speech on Thursday on some fundamental issues confronting the country's health system.

“We would have liked to hear the president addressing the chronic issue of filling vacant posts in health and its support stuff,” she said.

Matebeni said Zuma's proposed housing subsidy of up to R83 000, to be received by workers who earn between R3 000 and R15 000, was encouraging.

Zuma said a R1-billion fund will be rolled out in April to assist those people who do not qualify for both RDP houses and bonds.

“This is revolutionary as nurses in particular fall into this category. We hope that this progressive decision will be implemented ...” said Matebeni.

She applauded the strong emphasis on infrastructural development, saying it would stimulate economic growth in the country.

“The focus on improving the state of provinces and rural development is heartening as in itself will create job opportunities for our people.”

Matebele was also pleased with success of HIV/Aids programmes and efforts in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

She said the union was committed to working together with government and other sectors to take the country forward. – Sapa