Colleagues in the media
In a few days from today, on 21 March to be exact, the country will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre which was a watershed moment for our country. It was as a result of this day that the liberation movements were banned by the apartheid state, the first state of emergency was also declared and the politics of protest were replaced by the armed struggle.
I would be falling short of that value promise when a majority of our 11 million people, in KwaZulu-Natal, do not have access to health preserving and life saving care.
Healthcare is a basic human right! Without care, the health of individuals and communities are jeopardized. Without health, people can’t support their families or contribute fully to our society. We need a healthcare system that works for everyone and it is for that reason that our government has committed itself to improving the quality of healthcare.
It is for that reason that I am found crisis crossing the province
making unannounced visits to ensure that our people are not denied this human right.
RK Khan is regional hospital serving a population of close 1.3 million people. Between RK Khan and Edendale hospitals there is no other hospital. While there is good work, in general, there are shortages such as the shortage of doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
Having done a walk about the hospital listened to a number of people (patients and non-patients alike) and met the management team of this institution; I wish to state as follows:
* After listening to the discussions with the management team, I have been appraised on the reasons why there was confusion on the state of finances of the hospital. The hospital board will be informed of the correct state once I present the budget allocations for the R21 billion budget given to the Health Department. Hospital boards are there to advise and assist the MEC. They do not make policy pronouncements.
* On my visit to the pharmacy I was disturbed to see large numbers of people awaiting treatment whilst staffs are on lunch. This, as I stated to the pharmacy manager, is unacceptable. I cannot understand why almost two thirds of staff complements goes for lunch at once leaving poor people having to spend the whole in a hospital. I have instructed the District Manager to do regular hospital visits so that they are abreast with people complain and attend to such systemic problems outright.
In most hospitals, the blockages are where patients collect their cards and where they receive treatment. We have addressed such a blockage at one institution without adding a body. We just need to change operating systems in manner that when people have come from different clinics they get their medication and leave.
* The story of Miss Hlengiwe Nkosi healing process after an operation is unfortunate but not unexpected. After listening to the patient, the hospital would make necessary interventions. This is a rare complication but I have assured Miss Nkosi that we will support her and re-operate to assist her.
In KwaZulu-Natal, it is said, one woman dies trying to give birth. A confidential enquiry report into maternal deaths indicates that: (i) 20 to 25 percent of women do not attend antenatal clinic up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, (ii) some die because of poor management in maternity clinics, and (iii) they die due to causes such as hypertension, haemorrhage, HIV related, etc. I have not been able to get the reasons for the maternal deaths that have taken place at this hospital but a report will be forwarded to me shortly. Our health systems would be judged by the way they treat pregnant women.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
16 March 2010
