Today we are debating an issue that is critical to the well-being of the
citizens of our province. The state of healthcare service delivery touches the
lives of all sectors of society across KwaZulu-Natal.

As the IFP we can say that we are not impressed by the way the Department of
Health is failing to deliver optimum healthcare services to our people. Although
MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo is trying to make strides in changing the perception of
his department but we are truly not convinced that he is doing enough where it
is most needed. More urgent and targeted initiatives are still needed to improve
delivery of services and to instill faith in the KZN Department of Health.

Persistent media reports have sounded alarms that the Department has failed to
address the issue of unprofessional conduct among healthcare workers which
threatens the safety and the well-being of patients. Although unprofessional
conduct has long been a concern among healthcare workers, they have often gone
unchecked, or even worse -- unaddressed. The perceptions of possessing power or
yielding power contribute to the longstanding acceptance of unprofessional
conduct, because some of the hospital managers have long been in positions of
powers within the healthcare system. Due to their seniority and long service
their unprofessional conduct may be ignored or may be treated more leniently
than other staff members.

As the IFP we support the rights of workers to take care of their interests but
I want to warn the Department of Health not to allow itself to go the route of
the Department of Education that is controlled by SADTU and be dictated to by
any union. I say this against the threat made by NEHAWU to disrupt healthcare
services in this province if the HOD, Dr Sibongile Zungu is not removed. We are
aware that the ANC is dependent upon unions to win elections and to stay in
power, but the health of our citizens must not be sacrificed at the altar of
election victory.

The IFP is of the view that unprofessional service delivery has been allowed to
continue at hospitals and clinics because they go unsupervised and unreported.
Dedicated and committed staff often do not report the unprofessional conduct of
their colleagues out of concern for their jobs, fear of intimidation and lack of
confidentiality around the reporting procedures. The MEC needs to demonstrate a
concern for the frequency of incidents of unprofessional conduct and ensure the
implementation of regulations and procedure that are in place to stamp out
shoddy service delivery. In order to effectively implement a plan of change,
specific policies must be in place and followed in all circumstances. It is no
longer acceptable to tolerate unprofessional behaviour in the healthcare sector.
Implementing a zero-tolerance stance is one step towards ending unprofessional
conduct.

The recent disturbing report of a pregnant woman from KwaMaphumulo who died in a
toilet in Stanger Hospital due to ineptitude by the nurses is a case in point. I
urge the MEC to fire those nurses who are responsible for this sad loss of life.
As the IFP we feel for the family and friends of this lady who lost her life due
to neglect on the part of people who are paid by the very same families' tax
money, therefore her family will want to see appropriate action from the MEC.

KZN ailing public health-care system is getting worse and even services at
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Memorial Hospital, the flagship hospital in our province
seen to be slipping. I received complaints and visited that hospital recently
only to be told that I cannot speak to the CEO. I want to know from the MEC if
it is his policy or the Department's policy that Honourable Members of this
Portfolio Committee are not allowed to speak with the hospital CEOs. How are we
to perform our oversight when we are faced with this kind of situation? It seems
the MEC has hit a brick wall in efforts to improve healthcare administration in
this province.

For several years the IFP has been calling on this ANC-led government to
confront key issues facing our health care sector - particularly the enforcement
of minimum standards at all public hospitals and clinics. For far too long money
has been poured into our public hospitals without the desired healthcare
outcomes. The MEC always speaks about the winds of change that are going to
sweep through the department of health but these winds have been replaced by
puffs of hot air. Unless those accountable for this ongoing mismanagement are
brought to book and fired, the puffs of hot air will become just whispers in the
dark.

Without tough action this province will continue to be plagued by the deaths of
babies, shortages of medicines and inhumane treatment of patients. Crumbling and
deficient infrastructure is unacceptable at hospitals if we are serious of
achieving the requirements of the National Health Insurance policy. Funding must
be used as a matter of urgency to improve healthcare institutions not only for
patients, but also the over-worked staff.

The IFP is also concerned about the failure by the Department of Health to build
more clinics in our communities especially in the rural areas. Lokhu ngikusho
ngoba umphakathi wasOfafa, eXobho, ngaphansi kweNkosi yakwaNdlovu wesizwe
sakwaVukani awukho umtholampilo. Umphakathi uma ufuna usizo lwezempilo kudingeka
ukuthi ugibele uye eXobho edolobheni emtholampilo. Ngifuna ukwazi kuDinangwe
ukuthi kungani Ofafa umtholampilo ungakhiwa ekubeni umningi kangaka umphakathi?
Ngaphezu kwalokho owabe enguNgqongqoshe wezempilo uDkt Zweli Mkhize wathembisa
umphakathi wase-Thafamasi umtholampilo ongakaze wakhiwe nanamhlanje? Ngabe
akukona ukwehluleka komnyango ukunakekela izidingo zabantu?

The IFP calls on the MEC to drastically reduce waiting periods and improve
conditions in waiting areas in hospitals. Hygiene standards at some hospitals
must improve. I say this after reports that Hlabisa Hospital was drying hospital
linen on the lawns - this is unacceptable. Safety of patients and staff at
hospitals must be given urgent attention especially in view of reports of a 4
year old girl being raped at Greytown Hospital last week and the number of cases
where patients have fallen to their deaths from hospital buildings. There must
be revision of security contracts in our hospital.

Not much is being done to improve conditions in the EMRS sector. There is still
a shortage of personnel, vehicles and equipment to respond to emergencies and
this becomes critical as we head into the festive season.

There is an urgent need for hospital equipment to be well maintained. Reports
that Addington hospital had purchased second equipment must be investigated.
Equipment that do not function well will give inaccurate readings and will
result in inappropriate diagnosis that could cost patients their lives.

Whilst the IFP believes that in some instances improvements have taken place,
much still needs to be done if the Department is serious about quality
healthcare in our province. The IFP believes that targets can be achieved
through good management and proper supervision.

Delivering health care which minimizes risks and harm to patients must be the
department's commitment. Quality healthcare and patient safety must be the
department's priority.

I thank you,