DA calls on Health Minister to intervene

By Sasha Forbes
19 November 2008

The Democratic Alliance is calling on the Minister of Health, Barbara Hogan, to intervene and establish truth of the situation in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The DA’s vision for South Africa is of a country with a health system which is responsive, accessible, and staffed by committed doctors and nurses who are able to make a real difference to people’s lives. This requires a health department which is able to confront the problems it faces head-on, not bury its head in the sand.

DA MP Mike Waters says “the DA knows with good authority that all doctors post within Kwa-Zulu Natal are indeed frozen, despite the assurance from the MEC and her department. We know for a fact as we are flooded with calls from doctors who need posts to fulfill their community service that they cannot get any post in Kwa-Zulu Natal and they have to go out of the province to get community posts.”

It was also brought to light that fourteen anaesthetists have resigned and none of these posts have yet been filled.