Gloria Tlhapi, the chief executive officer of the Potchefstroom Hospital says the facility is stable and functioning normally.
‘The staff members are on duty and are attending to the patients in all the wards, outpatients and the clinic. The administration of the hospital is functioning well.’
In contrast, the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital in our neighbouring town is facing a crisis. The nurses downed tools in the National Health Education and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) protest on Wednesday. The union is demanding that the North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo steps down. Patricia Kopane is a member of parliament and the DA shadow minister of health. She says protesters have reportedly been burning tyres. They are refusing to allow ambulances access or anyone else to enter or leave the hospital.
Tragedy will have a bigger aftermath than the deaths at the Esidimeni
She admits that the doctors shocked her team when they asked the DA for urgent help during the party’s oversight inspection on Tuesday.
‘They said they were extremely concerned for the lives of the patients who are currently receiving critical care. The complex (which includes Klerksdorp Hospital) has more than 1 000 beds.
‘Without professional nursing staff and proper care, these patients’ lives are at risk. The professional medical staff warned that this could escalate into a tragedy. If it does, it will have a bigger aftermath than the deaths at the Esidimeni Health Care Centre,’ she said.
The report in the Mail and Guardian on Tuesday also highlighted the extent of the crisis. Seventy-three medical doctors wrote and signed an open letter raising concerns of ‘the closure of health care facilities affecting the health of our society’.
Among some of their demands is the immediate reopening of the healthcare facilities, including the main medical stores. ‘The grievances of the striking employees are valid and supported but we condemn the modus operandi, particularly shutting down the health service provision’, read the letter.
Health crisis affects the poor, homeless, disabled and chronic health patients
The doctors say this crisis affects the ‘poor, homeless, disadvantaged, disabled, vulnerable, those without access to private care, those with chronic illnesses that include HIV, TB, hypertension, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, etc.’
According to the doctors, the closure of main medical stores has led to the inability to procure medication and surgical sundries. It has resulted in shortages of medication and surgical sundries that compromise patient care.
Contingency plans at Potchefstroom Hospital
Tlhapi says Potchefstroom Hospital does not have a shortage of medication at the moment. ‘The availability of drugs is at 96 per cent which is within the target. Thus far, no patient has been sent home without medication.’
She told the Herald that there are contingency plans in case the crisis hits the hospital.
These include discharging the stable patients and referring of critical patients to a referral hospital in Gauteng, among other interventions. This will only happen if there is a total shutdown, however. The plan includes the SANDF involvement as a last resort,’ she said.
‘The staff members are on duty and are attending to the patients in all the wards, outpatients and the clinic. The administration of the hospital is functioning well.’
In contrast, the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital in our neighbouring town is facing a crisis. The nurses downed tools in the National Health Education and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) protest on Wednesday. The union is demanding that the North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo steps down. Patricia Kopane is a member of parliament and the DA shadow minister of health. She says protesters have reportedly been burning tyres. They are refusing to allow ambulances access or anyone else to enter or leave the hospital.
Tragedy will have a bigger aftermath than the deaths at the Esidimeni
She admits that the doctors shocked her team when they asked the DA for urgent help during the party’s oversight inspection on Tuesday.
‘They said they were extremely concerned for the lives of the patients who are currently receiving critical care. The complex (which includes Klerksdorp Hospital) has more than 1 000 beds.
‘Without professional nursing staff and proper care, these patients’ lives are at risk. The professional medical staff warned that this could escalate into a tragedy. If it does, it will have a bigger aftermath than the deaths at the Esidimeni Health Care Centre,’ she said.
The report in the Mail and Guardian on Tuesday also highlighted the extent of the crisis. Seventy-three medical doctors wrote and signed an open letter raising concerns of ‘the closure of health care facilities affecting the health of our society’.
Among some of their demands is the immediate reopening of the healthcare facilities, including the main medical stores. ‘The grievances of the striking employees are valid and supported but we condemn the modus operandi, particularly shutting down the health service provision’, read the letter.
Health crisis affects the poor, homeless, disabled and chronic health patients
The doctors say this crisis affects the ‘poor, homeless, disadvantaged, disabled, vulnerable, those without access to private care, those with chronic illnesses that include HIV, TB, hypertension, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, etc.’
According to the doctors, the closure of main medical stores has led to the inability to procure medication and surgical sundries. It has resulted in shortages of medication and surgical sundries that compromise patient care.
Contingency plans at Potchefstroom Hospital
Tlhapi says Potchefstroom Hospital does not have a shortage of medication at the moment. ‘The availability of drugs is at 96 per cent which is within the target. Thus far, no patient has been sent home without medication.’
She told the Herald that there are contingency plans in case the crisis hits the hospital.
These include discharging the stable patients and referring of critical patients to a referral hospital in Gauteng, among other interventions. This will only happen if there is a total shutdown, however. The plan includes the SANDF involvement as a last resort,’ she said.
