Press Statement by Hon Keeka, Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee on oversight visits to seven health facilities in Phongola, Vryheid, Mseleni, Hluhluwe, Ethekwini and Pietermaritzburg
Media Statement
Date: 11 December 2024
The KZN Health Portfolio Committee, over a period of two weeks, has conducted announced oversight visits to 4 provincial Districts and visited 6 facilities and interacted with 7 in total. The focus of the visit was to check on the readiness of facilities along the N2, N3 and Durban Beach Front. During these visits, we also interacted with Emergency Medical Services and Municipal Disaster Management Officials.
The Health Department cannot operate in isolation without involvement of disaster management and fire services especially when there are mass casualties and where rescue efforts are required.
While the Portfolio was satisfied that facilities were ready to receive any influx of patients or mass casualties, we expressed concerns about the preparedness of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The facilities visited were Itshelejuba Hospital in Phongola, Vryheid Hospital, Mseleni Hospital, Hluhluwe Clinic, Addington Hospital, Greys Hospital and interaction with the CEO of Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
A holistic view of the EMS that emerged as of Wednesday was that the challenges are significant.
There are a myriad of issues including but not limited to:
– Equipment Shortages
– deplorable conditions of Jump Bags (this contains essentials used to manage emergencies)
– shortages of disposable items such as bandages, gloves and splints
. There is often no buffer stock of items and medicines once used
.infection prevention control cleaning materials for vehicles are critically low
. There is a gross shortage of vehicles in the 4 Districts visited, this is compounded by the long period it takes to repair and service vehicles,
. Incubator shortages
. Response times to red code or P1 emergencies have various ranges, in eThekwini we were told that these emergencies that should be responded to within 15minutes can go unresponsive to for as long as 3 to 6 hours.
These findings, among others are significant. While facilities will fully manage emergencies once they reach them, pre-hospital Medical care is clearly in need of urgent “treatment”.
The portfolio committee was not unaware of these challenges prior to our oversight visits because these concerns were already raised at committee level during interactions with the MEC and the Head of Department. There was a debate in the KZN Legislature that extensively covered the views of Honourable members as well.
During the oversight visits, resolutions taken by the committee to have further engagements, a relook at the departments cost cutting measures and an intensified look into the proper functionality of the EMS has to be a continuous exercise until the challenges can be overcome.
We are optimistic that in the interim, the best will be done, including working with the private sector, will aid the department in getting through this busier than usual period.
In all of this, the health adage that prevention is better than cure must be remembered.
The burden of motor vehicle accidents on the EMS and our facilities during this festive season is immense. Facility plans are effective and in place. However, road users must remember that they must not drink and drive, seat belts must be worn, vehicles must not be overloaded, keep left, pass right, obey Road signs, be kind and courteous on the road, stop frequently to prevent driver fatigue and obey law enforcement officers on our roads, pedestrians must be vigilant, sober and visible. Children on our beaches must be minded at all times to prevent drownings.
These, among other things will make your visit to KZN enjoyable and safe.
The committee wishes everyone well over the festive season and encourages people to remain safe.
Ends
Issued by Honourable Dr I Keeka, Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee
For more information please contact Hon Keeka at 083 703 9135