DESPITE the number of understaffed and under-equipped public hospitals in KZN, including Ngwelezana Hospital, reported to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), around 100 qualified doctors in the province remain without work.
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) stated they plan to approach the provincial Department of Health (DoH) to address the issue.
‘It is the considered view of the ANC Youth League that having unemployed doctors does not make sense in a country where the National Development Plan indicates such a shortage of doctors.
‘The realisation of the National Health Insurance Scheme will require sufficient doctors in order for quality health care to be provided to all our people,’ the ANCYL said.
This was revealed only days after a damning 68-page report by the SAHRC found that the KZN DoH had not only failed to provide access to adequate oncology services to patients, but also ‘violated interconnected, interdependent rights to human dignity and life of affected patients’.
The investigation followed a complaint lodged in February last year by the DA’s Dr Imran Keeka‚ a member of the provincial legislature‚ reporting shortages of staff and lack of functional health technology machines to screen, diagnose and treat cancer.
SAHRC ordered the DoH to immediately repair oncology machines and, within 10 days, devise a plan to deal with the staff crisis and backlog of patients.
Only two months ago, the Head of the KZN coastal branch of the SA Medical Association, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa warned the healthcare system is ‘collapsing’ with inadequate staff in the province.
According to him, the branch was alarmed by the provincial health department’s decision to unilaterally change the conditions of employment of all doctors by freezing critical posts, creating unfunded posts, keeping some doctors unemployed, and introducing a new commuted overtime policy without adequate consultation.
He also stated SAMA KZN Coastal Branch noticed a sharp deterioration in healthcare at hospitals and clinics in the province over the years.
Indications of this included shortages of medicines, collapsing infrastructure, broken equipment and shortage of staff.
‘To further exacerbate the situation, the National Department of Health rejected a call by the medical profession to increase doctor posts.
‘This undermines the advocacy role and ethical responsibilities of our doctors who need to protect the interests of the poor communities who rely heavily on public healthcare facilities,’ Mzukwa said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
