Health rights infringed in KZN

THE PUBLIC protector’s report that found government-run mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal guilty of improper conduct proved once again that the Department of Health continued to infringe the rights of citizens.

In her findings, advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane said it was “partially substantiated” that there was improper conduct on the part of the department with regard to the management of human bodies at the mortuaries.

The IFP has been vocal in raising serious concerns about the KZN healthcare system, which is in shambles. We begged. We pleaded. But the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, as the political head of the KZN Department of Health, decided to ignore our cries.

Instead, his political party under the leadership of KZN Premier Willies Mchunu came to his defence by saying “there is nothing sinister that can convince the Premier to fire MEC Dhlomo”. They didn’t budge, dismissing our concern as paranoia.

The country’s healthcare sector is in a shambles and the government has not taken any steps to bring muchneeded improvement to the sector.

NCAMISILE NKWANYANA | IFP KZN Provincial spokesperson on health