Today, the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, continued working at one of our public hospitals (St Apollinaris hospital in Creighton) where the doctor shortage is as a result of poor infrastructure.
The MEC, together with a team of seven medical doctors volunteered their services at this hospital in Creighton, St Apollinaris hospital, during the Easter holiday and attended to a number of patients.
This hospital has only three permanent doctors who have to do all the work during the day and night. The hospital cannot retain the services of doctors due to the poor road infrastructure, lack of accommodation and other amenities such as banks, shopping malls, etc.
The hospital has on numerous occasions tried to recruit doctors but as soon as they see the areas they never come back. This is despite the provision of rural allowances, inhospitable allowances and the occupation specific dispensation.
“Yesterday I attended to a number of patients including 22 people who were affected by the ravaging storms that hit the area over the Easter weekend. Any healthcare system that does not serve the poor is not worthy of being mentioned” says the MEC for Health, Dr Dhlomo.
The MEC attended to outpatients as well as patients in the wards today. He left the hospital vowing to ensure that he will mount efforts to encourage doctors to work in such areas.
Contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
6 April 2010
