4 May 2007
The Health Department wishes to make it clear that there is no crisis at the
Frontier Hospital in Queenstown and the issue of resignations has been grossly
exaggerated.
It is not true that about five pharmacists have resigned. Only two
pharmacists resigned at the end of March, citing domestic/family matters as
reasons. Following the two resignations a senior pharmacist from Bhisho's
pharmaceutical office was sent to the hospital to assist.
A recruitment drive is underway to fill the vacancies, and interviews have
been held. Suggestions that the hospital is experiencing long queues are
untrue. The three pharmacists, an intern and three post-basic pharmacists, are
coping with the situation. By 04h30 on 30 April, there were no patients in the
Out-Patient Department and pharmacy. The pharmacy closed at about 04h50.
The fact that the people who spoke to the Daily Dispatch were not prepared
to be named, clearly suggests an underhand agenda. It is very unfortunate that
the Daily Dispatch has unwittingly allowed itself to be used by these
mischievous elements.
We did not only acknowledge the problem but acted on it, rural and scarce
skills allowances have been offered to retain and recruit these skills.
Bursaries are being offered to a number of tertiary students pursuing health
related studies. This challenge cannot be addressed overnight but these
interventions clearly illustrate the departmentâs willingness to address all
the problems relating to shortages.
Enquiries:
Sizwe Kupelo
Spokesperson Eastern Cape Health Department
Cell: 083 378 0196
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
4 May 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za/)
