Parliament, Sunday, 3 May 2020 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has welcomed the meeting that took place between the KwaZulu Natal Legislature’s (KZN’s) Portfolio Committee on Health with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the private hospitals in KZN. The meeting follows an increase in the number of Covid-19 infections in private hospitals in the province.
Dr Dhlomo said the report that has been provided after the meeting, and which is commendable, reflects thorough and frank discussions between the legislature and the CEOs. “I thanked the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Nomakiki Majola, in a meeting I had with her. I congratulated and thanked her for taking this bold step, a step that allays the anxiety and builds confidence amongst the staff and patients in private hospitals.”
The obligation that stemmed from the engagement was to have quarterly meetings between the committee and the CEOs, and a desire for joint working relations will be taken further. “We cannot delay this anymore as there are plans for the National Health Insurance in the country,” said Dr Dhlomo. He added that some of the resolutions that were taken in the meeting will be followed up and be implemented.
Dr Dhlomo said: “The issue of the increase of Covid-19 infections in KZN’s private hospitals did come up in our committee meeting. We applaud the ongoing discussion between the KZN legislature committee on health and the private healthcare managers.”
According to Dr Dhlomo, the KZN legislature’s committee on health devoted its oversight role on the increase of the Covid-19 infections in the province hence his continued bilateral engagement with Ms Majola on that challenge.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8203
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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