Frere Hospital
18 July 2007
The Democratic Alliance should refrain from misleading the public on the
challenges facing Frere Hospital in Eastern Cape. There is no difference of
opinions between Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Deputy Health
Minister, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge on the matter.
The Ministry of Health as a whole, including both the Minister and Deputy
Minister, is concerned about the serious allegations that have been made with
regard particularly to maternal and child care at the hospital. We believe that
the problems that might have contributed to the reported situation need to be
dealt with as a matter of urgency.
As a result of this concern, an adviser to the Minister, Professor Ronnie
Green-Thompson and national Health Department's Manager for Hospital Services
Dr Thabo Sibeko were dispatched to Eastern Cape to investigate these
allegations. (Prof Green Thompson is a specialist in obstetrics and
gynaecology.)
The two officials have been at the hospital since Monday, 16 July and they
are expected to report to the Ministry tomorrow on their findings and recommend
measures needed to immediately improve the situation at the hospital. The
preliminary comments made by Prof Green-Thompson to the media on the first day
of the team's three-day investigation do not necessarily reflect the overall
conclusions of their investigation.
The Ministry is going to make a further statement on the measures that will
be taken to address the challenges at Frere Hospital. These interventions will
take into consideration the overall findings of the team and the concerns about
patient care already expressed by the Deputy Minister.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Department of Health
Cell: 082 7720 161
Issued by: Department of Health
18 July 2007
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
