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The DA calls on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, to urgently ensure that the broken endoscope/gastroscope machine at Newcastle’s Madadeni Hospital is repaired.

This device is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of internal bleeding and conditions such as cancers of the stomach. Without it, there are serious implications that arise in both diagnosis and even in certain emergency treatments.

The current backlogs and the transporting of urgent cases to Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg are far from ideal as they pose an obvious risk to the health of those patients.

The DA will not stand idly by while the situation continues and expects MEC Simelane to prioritise the fixing of this critical piece of equipment.

With the high number of serious accidents taking place on the N3 corridor, the need for functional theatres in nearby hospitals is essential. The turnaround time for critical machine failures at government hospitals also has a profound influence on our health institution’s ability to deliver quality healthcare.

This situation underscores the need for KZN’s Department of Health to refocus its attention on quality healthcare - rather than pursuing the perceived benefits of an NHI that focusses on controlling money flow. The ANC cannot expect NHI to work if it does not even have the most basic in facilities on track.

The people of KZN deserve a fully functional healthcare service.

Issued by Edwin Baptie, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Health