Time for Makhura to step up to the plate

It is bad enough that medical incompetence resulted in a child being left with brain damage after she was born at Gauteng’s Pholosong Hospital – but it is outrageous that the provincial department of health has refused to comply with a court order compelling it to pay damages of R6.2 million to the child’s family.

The court order against the Gauteng health department was handed down on March 8 after a battle which lasted seven years. Yet despite this, no payment has been forthcoming.

So, the attorneys representing the family got the sheriff of the court to attach furniture and equipment from the offices of the department on Thursday. The writ of attachment listed various items, including 400 desks, 600 chairs, 400 computers, 200 filing cabinets, 50 printers, 10 fridges, 10 microwaves and three lounge suites.

That act, although symbolic because the money raised by the sheriff from the sale will not come close to recovering the R6.2 million, will have a serious impact on the department, an impact which will further prejudice taxpayers.

Without furniture and equipment, department employees will be unable to do their work effectively, which adds to the inefficiency and, sadly, will adversely affect the sick. When the equipment has to be replaced, it will cost more – more taxpayers’ money which could have gone on medical treatment.

Whoever is responsible for this mess should be fired. And the entire Gauteng health department should be subjected to a rigorous and professional investigation to determine why so many people have had their lives turned upside down by medical negligence in provincial hospitals.

There also needs to be a probe into the sometimes atrocious service meted out by badly trained staff at these institutions. Ultimately, though, the buck has got to rest with Gauteng premier David Makhura. Do something, sir.