The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal says that the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo should be charged with manslaughter if any patient dies due to shortage of medical staff such as oncologists and urologists.
“It is shocking that a Durban pensioner who has a problem with his prostate has been given an appointment to see a doctor in 2021 because the urologist is fully booked at Addington Hospital. This is a clear evidence of the extent of the crisis facing health care in our province. For a patient with a serious medical condition to be given an appointment to see a doctor after four years amounts to sentencing him to death.
Therefore the MEC of Health, Dr Dhlomo must be held responsible and charged with manslaughter should anyone died due to his failure to address the health crisis facing our public healthcare facilities,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“The lack of specialist medical practitioners and the shortage of equipment are a direct result of poor management and lack of leadership. As a result there is tremendous pressure on the few specialists who are still in the public health sector and they are working under difficult conditions.
There is an urgent need for medical schools to boost enrolment and on lawmakers to lift the cap on funding for specialist training. This will help ease the excessive volume of work faced by the few remaining urologists. It will also reduce the waiting time for patients to receive treatment thereby reducing suffering and saving lives. The Department of Health must respond swiftly in addressing the crisis that we are facing,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991