Callous and irresponsible treatment meted out to pensioners at NIS Leonora

May 02, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
On Wednesday 22nd April I witnessed first hand the most callous and irresponsible treatment meted out to the pensioners on the medication distribution day.
The usual number of pensioners and myself appeared at the NIS Office at Leonora equipped with our appointment Card/Booklets and necessary prescription for our monthly medication which cover a range of ailments (viz. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Glaucoma, etc)
We were told that (a) the nurse responsible for the distribution was ill and therefore we could not be issued with our respective drugs. The NIS staff on duty stated that they were not able to say where and when our medications would be distributed and therefore we should leave the premises.
I did not leave, but stood my ground and requested to see the Manager of the Leonora District Office who informed me that he as well, could not say when the medications would be distributed.
I must mention that we are usually issued with a month’s supply on every occasion and were therefore in need of a re-supply.
The Manager was unable to say if a relief nurse would be sent up from Georgetown to complete the exercise.
I was both shocked and disturbed at this insensitive treatment of pensioners who, by virtue of their contributions to the NIS over the years, should be entitled to prompt receipt of the various drugs.
I could not believe this display. What were we expected to do? I asked myself. Lie down and die?
After further requests were made, the manager decided to call the NIS Headquarters to find out if a relief nurse/clerk could be sent up to deal with this situation that never should have occurred.
I left the premises with an inconclusive reply from the manager – e.g. maybe tomorrow 23rd, maybe Friday 24th, maybe Monday 27th.
This is not good enough. As soon as it was realized the nurse would not have been on duty to carry out the distribution of drugs, the request should have been made of the Georgetown NIS (The respective nurse was ill for three or four days before drugs distribution day and management knew of this).
I must emphasize that it is apparent that the NIS is falling apart with the recent dismissals for fraud and dishonesty of workers in the Pension section and now something like this happens which should never have occurred.
Where are we going NIS?
We are senior citizens of this country and we demand better treatment and consideration. Chairman, please note.
Jim Holder, Retired Administrator

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Callous and irresponsible treatment meted out to pensioners at NIS Leonora

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