Department mum on TB hospital closure at Nongoma
Possible job losses as hospital faces chop
THE Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is concerned about the possible closure of the Siloah Lutheran TB Hospital at Dlomodlomo near Nongoma.
The party has slammed the silence by the KZN MEC of Health, Dr S’bongiseni Dhlomo on the serious issue of a possible closure.
The management of Siloah Hospital is facing the possibility that the facility will be forced to close its doors.
The funding agreement expires next month.
The closure of the hospital will affect many people who depend on this hospital to get their medication and the services of medical staff.
‘The silence by the KZN MEC of Health convinces us that he does not care about people who will suffer once this hospital closes its doors,’ said IFP KZN provincial spokesperson, Ncamisile Nkwanyana.
‘We urge the MEC to urgently intervene and ensure that this hospital continues to provide much need services to the people.
‘We are afraid that the hospital might be closed soon if no intervention is made.
‘We cannot afford to have a situation where people in rural areas are deprived of health care services.’
At least 95 jobs lost
Management is presently working on a retrenchment plan for about 95 workers.
If the hospital closes, it will hit low-income families particularly badly.
‘The IFP proposes the KZN Department of Health should consider to apply the similar approach of taking over the Siloah Hospital as the department did for the McCord Hospital in Durban when the hospital’s foreign funding ended,’ said Nkwanyana.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
