The MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has announced that more than R1-billion will be dedicated to maintenance projects for the Newcastle and Madadeni Provincial Hospitals.
While presenting the budget for the Department of Health during a sitting of the provincial legislature last week, Dr Dhlomo also announced that hospital bosses in KwaZulu-Natal would be held accountable for appalling conditions in their clinics and hospitals.
More than R1-billion will go to the Amajuba District Municipality for maintenance projects to ensure that Newcastle and Madadeni hospitals comply with National Health Insurance standards.
Last week, DA MP Dr Imran Keeka put forward a motion to the provincial legislature, calling for the MEC to honour his commitment to establish a fully functioning casualty service at Newcastle Provincial Hospital.
“This commitment was repeatedly made. I move for the house to resolve that MEC Dhlomo honours that commitment and that the matter of establishing a casualty and related services is undertaken forthwith.”
The budget presentation received mixed responses, many criticising the R4.9-billion in outstanding litigation the department was facing for alleged negligence.
“We see that maternal mortality remains high and litigation against the department of some R4-billion, which is almost double of about R2-billion in the last financial year,” said Dr Keeka “This can mostly be attributed to botched obstetrics and gynaecology.”
The DA also welcomed the establishment of the private medical school in Newcastle after years of calling for such a facility. This would not only relieve the capacity shortages at government medical schools but also help increase economic growth and academic research in the province.
“We hope this is the start of a positive trend to relieve doctor shortages in the province,’ said Dr Keeka.
