EDITOR – The Democratic Alliance can today reveal that this is now the fourth week that the Department of Health has failed to ensure the delivery of oxygen cylinders to Emergency Medical Care and Rescue Services Depots (EMRS) throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
This after a DA investigation discovered that the department cut ties with their supplier prior to finding a replacement contractor; resulting in EMRS staffers operating with either no oxygen cylinders, or with reserve stock.
The DA is deeply disturbed by this as this dilemma – which has been denied by Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo – has been confirmed by members of the public and staffers through media channels.
What is it going to take for Dhlomo to admit that this is a crisis that needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency as no trauma patient can be resuscitated without oxygen?
It is most disconcerting that Dhlomo – himself a qualified medical doctor – appears to have made no attempt to rectify this matter. No wonder health union Hospersa has called for his resignation.
EMRS personnel in contact with the DA said no interim measures have been put in place and reserve stocks are depleting at an alarming rate.
The DA is, again, pleading with Dhlomo to get private ambulance services involved as a temporary measure before explaining exactly how this crisis is being dealt with.
Should Dhlomo fail to heed this call, he must be personally held responsible for lives lost as a result of this crisis.
Sizwe Mchunu
DA leader in KZN
