Inkatha Freedom Party Statement By:
DR RUTH RABINOWITZ MP
IFP HEALTH SPOKESPERSON

30 October 2007

Many factors highlighted as problems in the Eastern Cape relate to the lack of capacity at management level and lack of clear accountability within health department structures.

The problem is not unique to Eastern Cape and occurs in hospitals throughout the country to varying degrees. All of these problems would be reduced by a change in our constitution providing clear responsibility and accountability - first locally, then provincially and then nationally.

Competitive partnering with the private sector to provide management in clinics, hospitals and drugs services would also make a huge difference. The fact that staff shortages are so acute and general as to require nurses to act as porters, is an indication of the level of mismanagement taking place. 

The possibility for facilities to make window dressing improvements should be avoided by allowing spot visits to be conducted to health facilities, by any representative in the health hierarchy, as done by the axed Deputy Health Minister.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dr Ruth Rabinowitz: 082 579 3698
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470