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News24 reports that staff at Gqeberha’s Livingstone Hospital fear repercussions as the Eastern Cape Department of Health is investigating a letter, proclaiming to be from the surgery department, warning of a doctor shortage at the state facility.
People were told not to expect doctors to attend the outpatient clinics due to the shortage. However, the department said the letter was the work of “faceless individuals” who wanted to “destabilise” the institution. Indicating that the only person authorised to write such a letter was acting CEO Thembisa Notshe, the department indicated: “With regard [to] the letter that was circulated, the department has launched an investigation to uncover the author.” Meanwhile, doctors described the department’s response as “disappointing”. “It is exactly this tone that makes us afraid to speak out. This is becoming an impossible place to work,” one doctor commented. Reportedly over the past few years, the hospital’s departments, including internal medicine, surgery, anaesthetics, the intensive care unit, casualty, and radiology, had lost at least 30% of their doctors.. “Very few of these doctors have been replaced, while in some departments, none have been. Those of us who remain are trying to plug the holes that have been left behind,” one doctor said. Meanwhile, the DA said the hospital must be put under administration. Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the recruitment of doctors and a permanent CEO at Livingstone was under way. He could not say how many doctors would be appointed.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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