BusinessLive writes that Dr Noxolo Mbadi cut an exhausted figure as she stood in the paediatric unit of Addington Hospital on Thursday, struggling to hold back tears as she laid bare the details of critical staff and equipment shortages at the public hospital.
She was speaking to members of Parliament’s select committee on social services during an oversight visit to the hospital. The visit to Addington‚ one of the largest government hospitals in Durban‚ comes amid an oncology crisis that‚ among other things‚ has resulted in machines at state hospitals not functioning because of a lack of maintenance and an exodus of specialists, which has resulted in just two oncologists being employed by the state — and both of them in Pietermaritzburg. Painting a grim picture underpinned by unqualified staff‚ unfilled posts and untenable working conditions, Mbadi said the situation was dire. Committee chairperson Cathy Dlamini commented: “I am depressed by this place. The problem is the unacceptable shortage of staff and the situation is critical. The province is challenged by budget but my take is that you cannot have a situation where the Department of Health has to cut back on staff‚ especially clinical staff."
- Read this report by Jeff Wicks in full at BusinessLive
- Read too, Progress with oncology crisis, claims KZN health department, at eNCA
- And also, Gauteng health department avoids KZN services censure, at BusinessLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page