This morning the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, visited Addington hospital following a Daily News (6 May 2010) report of a patient who was denied care by security personnel at the emergency unit of the hospital and later died.
After meeting the management team consisting of managers from his office, the district office and the hospital, the MEC said:
"As a department, we wish to extend our deep felt condolences to the Khan family for their loss. I wish to state that we treat this matter in the most serious of light and commit ourselves to investigating the allegations, as per the Daily News report, until the truth is uncovered.
"We urge the family to work with us so that we prevent this incidence occurring again. No person can and or should decide, ahead of healthcare professionals, whether or not a citizen will receive the medical attention they came to our hospitals seeking."
The MEC went on to reaffirm the department's commitment to improving quality of care in the province. He mentioned that during his budget policy statement he announced that there were 11 hospitals that have been identified to pilot the Make Me Look Like a Hospital project.
These, he said, were identified in the belief that they would be able to meet the set standards and because of the leadership capacity. These hospitals would be measured based on, among other things: their cleanliness, infection control, attitude of staff, safety and security of patients, access to drugs and blood products, and improved waiting times.
"Some patients leave home at 04h00 to arrive at their nearest hospital at 06h00. They receive their cards at 11h00, see a doctor at 14h00 and only get to the pharmacy at 16h00. So, in our quest to change this glitch we hope in five years' time all our hospitals would have improved the delivery of healthcare. At the end of this month, May, we would announce a further 11 hospitals that must improve delivery of quality healthcare," the MEC added.
The MEC will complete his one year since being appointed into his position (12 May) and his tenure has been characterised by such visits and hands on approach.
MEC available for voice interviews before 16h00.
Contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 May 2010
