Medication delayed due to taxi violence
The provincial department of health has apologised for the delay in the delivery of medication to various hospitals across the province
POLOKWANE – The provincial department of health has apologised for the delay in the delivery of medication to various hospitals across the province.
The delay was a result of local and long distance taxi operators blocking the N1 north on Monday, 31 August, the department said in a media statement.
The medication was destined for Botlokwa, Tshilidzini, Louis Trichard, as well as Elim Hospitals.
According to the statement, the truck transporting the medication was accosted by protesters and used as a barricade.
MEC for health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba appealed to the public to desist from such behavior, which could endanger the lives of patients who depended on hospitals for services.
“The department is however elated to announce that the truck was not damaged and its contents are still safe. The transportation of these essential medicine is already underway today. The department of health would like to assure members of the public at large that it would do anything possible to ensure a situation of this nature does not persist in future by putting in place plans to obviate such,” said Ramathuba.
She added that these institutions kept buffer stock that should last for a period of one month.
“The provision of quality healthcare services in an efficient manner remains the department’s priority. We however would like to reassure the public that we would be working with SAPS to ensure medicine is delivered to our institutions.”
