Parliament, Friday, 23 June 2017 – The Select Committee on Social Services is concerned by the state of Oncology Services in hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The Committee has noted preliminary pronouncements by the South African Human Rights Commission that, “the Department of Health KwaZulu-Natal and the MEC of KwaZulu-Natal Health have violated the rights of oncology patients at the Addington and IALC Hospitals to have access to health care services as a result of their failure to comply with applicable norms and standards set out in legislation and policies.”
It is concerning that the situation has been allowed to deteriorate to a point where only two oncologists remain in the province. It is also unacceptable that some radiotherapy equipment has been broken since 2011. “A thorough investigation must be undertaken to find the causes of the crisis and corrective actions must be implemented with speed,” said Ms Cathrine Dlamini, the Chairperson of the Committee.
The Committee calls on the Minister of Health and his provincial MECs together with National Treasury through MinMEC structures to find solutions to procurement impediments that might have led to this situation.
For its part, the Committee will urgently engage the Health Minister and the KZN provincial health MEC in efforts to find workable solutions to this problem.
Meanwhile, the Committee notes the progress in ending the go-slow by the Forensic Pathology Services in Gauteng. The Committee has been concerned that the protracted impasse has impacted negatively on many grieving families, who are unable to bury their loved ones.
The Committee urges the provincial Health Department in Gauteng to investigate allegations that untrained staff have been conducting post-mortems. If this is the case, the department must implement corrective actions urgently.
The Committee reiterates that quality of healthcare must be promoted at all times, as enshrined in section 27 of the Constitution.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES, MS CATHRINE DLAMINI.
Media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson please contact:
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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