Three die after hospital electricity failure

THREE patients are reported to have died at Manguzi Hospital last week as a direct result of electricity shortages.

The issue was raised by the ANC Youth League (YL) in uMkhanyakude on Tuesday, in an open letter to the provincial MEC for Health, Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

Thobelani Myeni, ANCYL Coordinator and the author of the letter, asked Dhlomo to take immediate measures to rectify Manguzi Hospital’s failing infrastructure.

‘As the ANCYL Far North Region, we are deeply saddened by this situation,’ said Myeni.

‘This directly contradicts the Batho Pele principles and our own national democratic revolution, which in turn must translate into the national democratic society we seek to achieve.

‘Day in, day out we see inflated tenders awarded by your department to private companies and individuals.

‘We would like to believe that in buying a generator to back up that hospital’s electricity, your department will not feel a pinch on its budget.’

Myeni went on to say that a right to health is a basic human right and that Dhlomo’s responsibility is to ensure all hospitals under his command are fully functional at all times.

‘As the ANCYL Far North Region we are at the coalface of your lack of caring for our people.

‘Communities will always point a finger to the nearest people associated with you, and we happen to be those people,’ concluded Myeni.

At the time of going to print, KZN Department of Health spokesperson Desmond Motha had not seen the letter but agreed to investigate the allegations.