Health crisis is putting residents’ lives at risk

THE Eastern Cape department of health is crippled by debt and dysfunctionality, and is spiralling out of control.

Tragically, the department’s failure to fill 2 000 of the 5 000 vacancies that occurred as at the end of December last year is negatively impacting on service delivery and it is people who rely on state healthcare, especially at clinics, who are suffering.

The DA believes that the failure to fill vacancies is an attempt by the department to offset its financial crisis whereby accruals, including medico-legal costs of R1.4-billion, have to be funded.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is resulting in a chaotic set of circumstances.

For example, there have been recent incidents in which patients awaiting clinic treatment have lost their lives:

ý David September passed away on May 29 after having been diagnosed by the Cannon Street Clinic in Uitenhage with an irregular heartbeat and then denied what he called “rookpilletjies” that would have dilated his arteries and possibly saved his life;

ý The Herald reported the tragic death of 20-year-old pupil Siyabonga Jim, who sought help at the Lunga Kobese Clinic on June 22, but collapsed and died in a nearby park from a condition that medical support might well have prevented (“TB victim dies after rejection by clinic”, June 23); and

ý Countless reports from patients that certain psychiatric drugs are not available to them and many incidents of clinics simply remaining closed without prior warning to communities.

This is a very, very sorry state of affairs.

Health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi and her department must prioritise service delivery at our clinics.

A simple step is through well-timed, honest communication to communities by using our radio stations to inform residents when clinics are closed, regardless of the reasons for closure. People’s lives are at stake. MEC Dyantyi, don’t drop this ball. It will cost lives and your reputation.