The MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will today visit RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth (Durban) unannounced following statements issued to the community that the hospital will be closing down certain services.
The visit was prompted by a statement attributed to the hospital board indicating that the hospital will be cutting down on certain services because of budgetary constraints after the department cutting back the budget by R17 million. The department reacted with surprise since the MEC is yet to announce on the allocation of the R21 billion budgets given to the department.
Recently a patient who was operated at the hospital complained to the MEC after she experienced some complications.
The MEC will do a walk about the hospital to talk to patients and visit certain areas of the hospital and thereafter meet the management to address them on some of the concerns. He will then address the media.
Journalists are invited (photo and interview opportunities available) to the MEC’s visit to be held as follows:
Date: 16 March 2010
Time: 13h00
Venue: RK Khan Hospital
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
16 March 2010
