It has come to the attention of the Democratic Alliance (DA) that in an urgent meeting held by the EC DOH on the 12th September 2013, the closure of the Mthatha Pharmaceutical Depot was decided. If this is true, it will have severe ramifications for the supply of critical medication to the hospitals and clinics in the eastern part of the Eastern Cape. The MEC of Health, Sicelo Gqobana, and the department have been aware of the problems facing the Mthatha depot for a couple of years now, … [Read more...] about Shutting Down of the Mthatha Pharmaceutical Depot Will Cost Lives
john cupido
Only Strong Political and Administrative Leadership Can Save EC Healthcare
Healthcare in the Eastern Cape is on the verge of collapse. A lack of political and administrative leadership is 100% to blame for the need of the healthcare march planned for tomorrow by the Eastern Cape Healthcare Coalition. The ANC can no longer pull the wool over the eyes of the people of the Eastern Cape with half-hearted and false attempts of making things better. The Democratic Alliance (DA) wholeheartedly shares the concerns and grievances raised by the coalition (made up of the … [Read more...] about Only Strong Political and Administrative Leadership Can Save EC Healthcare
MEC and Mayor Directly to Blame for Service Delivery Protest Damages and Injuries
On Wednesday the 24th July, a service delivery protest got out of hand and has subsequently brought all services in Molteno to come to a complete standstill. The Mayor has chosen to completely run away from the situation and strangle the Molteno community with the complete removal of electricity and municipal services as punishment for revolting against him. Below is a step-by-step account of the situation at hand: The Stormberg Biltong Factory called a march on Wednesday 24th July … [Read more...] about MEC and Mayor Directly to Blame for Service Delivery Protest Damages and Injuries
EC Health graft details must be made public
The Democratic Alliance today submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for forensic audit details of corruption and nepotism in the Eastern Cape Health Department. The report by the Special Investigation Unit, which has revealed major graft and nepotism worth billions, must be made public to ensure that the results are not simply swept under the carpet. The names of companies, officials and units within the Health Department involved in corruption were … [Read more...] about EC Health graft details must be made public
MEC Must Intervene to Curb Spread of Deadly African Horse Sickness
The Eastern Cape MEC of Environmental Affairs, Mcebisi Jonas, must intervene and act immediately to curb the spread of the highly infectious and deadly African Horse Sickness that has already claimed more than 20 Eastern Cape horses in the last few days. For the moment, the outbreak of this disease has only affected the Komga, Kei Mouth and Morgan's Bay area. But as scared horse owners relocate their horses to other areas, it is very likely that this will spread to other horses, mules or … [Read more...] about MEC Must Intervene to Curb Spread of Deadly African Horse Sickness
EC DoH’s false EMS payment promises will cost lives again
The Eastern Cape Department of Health (EC DoH) is again playing with the lives of thousands of patients as they yet again fail to stick to recent payment promises made to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff. Clear payment time lines must be made and strictly adhered to. In a notice sent to all EMS Metro Heads and signed on 3 December by Mr. Ntsoane as the Senior Manager of IHRM, it states that by no later than 5 December 2012, the first of three categories of outstanding payments will be … [Read more...] about EC DoH’s false EMS payment promises will cost lives again
EC Medical Crisis: Non-Striking members should be protected
The illegal emergency workers’ strike, which has become violent and is causing millions of rands in damages cannot be allowed to continue. The Democratic Alliance has made an urgent written appeal to Provincial Police Commissioner, Cynthia Binta, to immediately intervene in the matter. Yesterday, strikers resorted to violent tactics such as trashing the provincial call centre, damaging the emergency lines, shooting at vehicles transporting patients and turning off the oxygen at a hospital … [Read more...] about EC Medical Crisis: Non-Striking members should be protected
EC DoH creates expensive use of private EMS services
The Eastern Cape Department of Health (EC DoH) in not paying Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff salaries, various allowances and overtime properly is the sole creator of the current strikes in the East London and Port Elizabeth Metro areas. Now the department is forced to use the expensive services of private EMS companies, with the taxpayer footing the bill as usual. Yet again there seems to be no accountability on the side of EC DoH officials for knowingly allowing working conditions … [Read more...] about EC DoH creates expensive use of private EMS services
Paramedic and emergency personnel strike
Ambulance services in the Eastern Cape have shut down due to an illegal strike by paramedics and emergency personnel. The DA will use the Health Committee meeting in the legislature scheduled for this afternoon to demand urgent intervention from Health MEC Sicelo Gqobana to resolve the grievances of medical personnel and get them back to work before lives are needlessly lost. The illegal strike action has resulted in many patients being stranded and unable to make use of medical … [Read more...] about Paramedic and emergency personnel strike
National Takeover of EC Department of Health Won’t Solve Problems
With a budget that is deficient by at least R3 billion, an exponentially growing infrastructure backlog of over R20 billion, essential clinical staff vacancy rate of almost 50% and doctors that are fleeing the province because of unpaid salaries, one can see why a call for national intervention would not be a surprise. The reality of the matter is that the committee and Provincial Legislature has not exausted its oversight options and mandated ability to implement corrective measures. It is … [Read more...] about National Takeover of EC Department of Health Won’t Solve Problems
ANC Hiding East Cape Health Failures
The shenanigans around the 'rebel' doctors who spoke out against the administrative inadequacies within the Eastern Cape Department of Health continues. As an embarrassed department grapples to get to grips with the 'rebel' doctors revelations the DoH continues with their one celled thinking and great ability to p*ss all and sundry off. This letter from John Cupido refers: On Friday afternoon, 6 July 2012, I received a phone call from one of the Port Elizabeth based DA Councillors that was … [Read more...] about ANC Hiding East Cape Health Failures
Why does EC DoH feel the need to bully our doctors and nurses?
On Monday 25 June 2012 doctors of the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex held a press conference regardless of threats of disciplinary action by the EC DoH, to voice their grave concerns over their working conditions and excessive critical medical vacancies (East Cape Doctors draw the line in the sand with Health Department). To date, the MEC and Department have shown no interest in resolving the serious concerns raised by the doctors, but have instead tried their best to bully them into … [Read more...] about Why does EC DoH feel the need to bully our doctors and nurses?
DA does not support East Cape Health budget
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is not in support of the R15.1 billion budget for Health. The DA refuses to support a Health budget that does not sufficiently address the basic needs of decent health care for patients as prescribed by our country’s constitution. There is a very serious need for the Health budget to be completely overhauled and increased by an amount of R3 billion at the very least. The ANC leadership of this province has seen it fit to decrease the budget for Health for a … [Read more...] about DA does not support East Cape Health budget
Stop East Cape Department of Health rot before the money comes
The Eastern Cape Department of Health (DoH) needs to stop the rot before the money comes. The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the fact that the DoH is no longer in denial that it is on the verge of collapse in the province (Daily Dispatch, 23 May 2012). Finally it can work towards recovery be taking the right steps instead of keeping it under wraps. Admitting the problem is the first stage towards resolving it, but now comes the hard work. The current Health budget of R15.1 billion not only … [Read more...] about Stop East Cape Department of Health rot before the money comes
Eastern Cape will never be ready for NHI
With an ever increasing health care infrastructure backlog of more than R19 billion, there is realistically no chance that the Eastern Cape Department of Health (EC DoH) will EVER be ready for the planned roll-out of the NHI (National Health Insurance) unless drastic measures are taken immediately. In a sitting of the Eastern Cape Health Portfolio Committee in the Provincial Legislature on 15 May 2012 it was confirmed by the Department of Health that the current health care infrastructure … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape will never be ready for NHI
