TimesLive reports that thousands of vulnerable patients' lives could be at risk as the embattled KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) health department faces yet another critical shortage of doctors.  

Already plagued by a shortage of cancer specialists‚ the department now faces a “urology crisis”.  According to the SA Medical Association (Sama), there are currently just three urology specialists responsible for thousands of people.  Sama’s Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa said:  “This is not something that is looming.  Right now we have a patient backlog stretching back years.  This is a crisis.  Some patients have not been seen since 2015."  The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Thursday that the KZN healthcare system was bordering on collapse‚ and called for the immediate removal of MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.  Sama echoed this.  The department claims that there are seven urologists employed across the province, but this has been disputed.

• Read this report by Jeff Wicks in full at TimesLive

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