This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
The Mercury reports that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is currently experiencing extended patient wait times due to a severe shortage of specialist doctors in the province's government hospitals. There is a backlog of nearly 10,000 patients awaiting treatment.
This alarming statistic emerged from parliamentary questions that detailed the number of specialists and doctors available in various hospitals across the province. Dr Imran Keeka, DA spokesperson on health and chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee, highlighted the critical shortage of specialists and the lengthy waiting periods many patients faced. The personnel shortages include ophthalmologists, cardiologists, oncologists, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, ENT specialists, neurologists and radiologists (shortages for each specialty indicated in report).
Dr Keeka commented: “These figures illustrate the seriousness of the problem. The facilities mentioned are KZN’s apex hospitals, some of the busiest in the country, serving millions of people. The reality is that the sustainability of quality healthcare in KZN is under serious threat.” He pointed out that the reasons for this crisis were well-documented: “The private sector is more lucrative, and the state can never match the income of private sector specialists. Additionally, poor working conditions and long hours in government hospitals contribute to the issue. Inadequate planning and management by senior departmental officials responsible for ensuring that the Department of Health and its hospitals function optimally also play a role.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thami Magubane at The Mercury
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page