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The DA is calling on Health MEC Fufe Makatong to urgently intervene in the energy crisis currently being experienced at Kimberley Hospital. The coal supply has completely run out, resulting in the laundry not working as coal fuels the actual laundry machinery.

No clean linen is thus available for patients for sterilization purposes. This in turn hampers the availability of clean equipment, which in turn compromises health care services.

In effect, patients being cared for in ICU are being covered in drapes, due to the non-availability of sheets. This is totally unacceptable.

The DA suspects that the poor management of the coal reserves largely has to do with the financial crisis being experienced at the hospital.

Within the first two months of the 2018/2019 financial year, Kimberley Hospital would have spent 50% of its total budget allocation if all accruals and commitments were paid. On top of this, Kimberley Hospital’s allocation for goods and services has decreased by 14% compared with the adjustment budget last year.

We cannot tolerate a situation whereby the Northern Cape’s only tertiary hospital is hanging on by a thread due to the ongoing effects of corruption and financial mismanagement within the department that has robbed health care of millions of rands.

It is no wonder that the Hawks have clamped down on tender fraud in the Health Department. While we welcome the arrest of a departmental official earlier this week, who is alleged to be involved in departmental fraud of R11 million, Makatong must act against all officials who involve themselves in criminal actions. More must be done to bring corruption to an end.

Kimberley Hospital is on a downward track and urgently requires assistance.

The DA will ask Makatong to urgently address any payment related issues and also investigate the poor management of the coal supply.

Only the provision of health services under a DA-led government will ensure that the province’s most vulnerable people are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Issued by DA