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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a challenge to the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, to fulfill his promise to champion the fight for better health care by urgently addressing the many challenges at the Manne Dipico Hospital in Colesberg.

An oversight inspection of the 33-bed facility today, during which I was accompanied by Fawzia Rhoda, DA Constituency Head of Bo-Karoo, highlighted the depleted state of the provincial health workforce, also exposing many other challenges.

The 24-hour hospital is functioning with just two permanent doctors and one community service doctor who is due to go on maternity leave. This will leave the hospital with less than 50% of the required number of medical practitioners. Given the health department’s slow response to filling vacant positions, this begs the question as to whether contingency plans will be put in place in time.

The once state-of-the art facility has yet to operationalize its operating theatre. This is because the health department has, for almost a decade, failed to address the lack of back-up water, electricity and oxygen supplies to meet the certification requirements for operating theatres.

In addition, infrastructure also tends to take a backseat, as is the case at health facilities across the province. While the geyser has since been repaired, the hospital was previously without hot water for almost nine months.

The hospital is further experiencing shortages of basic pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol, insulin, anti-psychotic medicine, hypertensive medications and even antibiotics.

The patient transport routes are also an impediment to access to health care and patients who get referred to the tertiary hospital in Kimberley have to be transported via De Aar.

Security at the facility is another concern. The security contingent is made up of only two male security personnel. The female personnel fear for their safety on the night duty shift and due to rostering issues, are often left without a male staff member to accompany them.

The hospital reflects the stagnating state of the provincial health service.

The DA will hold the Premier accountable for his commitment to make health a priority, as made at his inaugural address in 2019. I have requested him to visit the facility and to ensure that solutions are implemented as a matter of urgency.

Given that health care has worsened and not improved over the last five years, it is improbable that it will be fixed under the ANC government. The only way to rescue health care in the Northern Cape now, is to register to vote.

Issued by Dr Isak Fritz, MPL - DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate