Lack of doctors a concern
It is necessary to redesign the way health services are provided in the community
THE IFP is shocked by the shortage of doctors at Ekhombe Hospital in Nkandla, where three doctors are in charge of running the entire hospital.
Ncamisile Nkwanyana, IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health says she was shocked when she visited the hospital on an unannounced oversight visit.
She found that there are only three doctors running the entire hospital owing to the shortage of doctors.
These doctors have to prioritise emergency situations, instead of treating all patients.
No money
According to Nkwanyana, the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo is aware of the situation, but he has said there is no money to employ more medical staff.
Nkwanyana says, ‘I was told that beneficiaries of the South African Cuban Scholarship programme from Nkandla don’t want to work in their rural area which has resulted to this situation.
‘The MEC must take tough action against those graduates who do not want to work near their rural homes,’ said Nkwanyana.
‘The shortage of doctors in KZN is a great concern and part of a wider national picture of primary care shortfalls for patients.
‘This could mean they have to wait for days or even more than a week before securing an appointment.
It is necessary to redesign the way health services are provided in the community to ensure these services are sustainable in future.
She said every vacant post puts more strain on remaining doctors who struggle to cover the gaps in their practice while also coping with increasing demand on doctors’ services.
‘The KZN Department of Health must take immediate and effective action to support doctors who are facing these challenges in maintaining quality services for patients under increasingly difficult circumstances.
‘Immediate steps should be taken by the Department of Health to ensure that more doctors are available to plug the gap where there is a chronic shortage of doctors. A task team should be established to review and investigate the status of this hospital concerning the services it renders to the Nkandla community,’said Nkwanyana.
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