The Inkatha Freedom Party calls on the relevant authorities to ensure that the repairs to storm damaged hospitals in and around Durban receives urgent attention.
“Repairs to hospitals must be prioritised because we must be concerned about saving lives. Patient’s safety and treatment must never be compromised.
We expect the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to speed up the process of ensuring that repairs are fast tracked. If there is a need the KZN Provincial Treasury must make additional funds available since the Department of Health is struggling financially,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“The storm damage reflects the lack of attention that the KZN government has given to infrastructure maintenance lately. It all comes down to neglect. Public officials often react to problems and challenges rather than planning for them in advance.
But you can’t attribute all of this to human nature. We need a little more forethought in our government, “continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“In addition, we call on the KZN MEC of Health and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health to urgently organise an oversight visit to the affected hospitals. This oversight visit is vital to us as Members of the Portfolio Committee as it will give us a clear impression of the damage and what plans are in place to fix them. This will also help us to hold the MEC to account if there is a delay in the repairs of these hospitals.
The KZN MEC of Health has a tendency to prevent us as Members of the Portfolio Committee to execute our duties freely and he always make promises which he fails to honour regarding the state of his department. The MEC is good in theory but he always lacks when it comes to implementing what he has promised,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP sends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died when a wall collapsed at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and at other parts of the province, and wish a speedy recovery to all those who have been injured.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991