The Public Servants Association (PSA) is concerned about the lack of medical supplies at Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape, which they say severely limits doctors’ ability to resuscitate patients, draw blood, and administer medication.
According to a media statement by the PSA, the non-availability of syringes is negatively impacting the performance of health workers who are unable to properly fulfil their duties owing to the employer’s failure to provide critical equipment.
In response, Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, said that, while their resources are under severe pressure, there isn’t a shortage of critical supplies in the EC Health Department.
According to the PSA statement, desperate attempts by hospital managers to procure needles from rural hospitals continue, but this measure poses the risk of also depleting supplies at these facilities.
“In addition, there is a critical shortage of nappies, nebulizer masks, adult oxygen masks, oxygen regulators, special plasters, ECG electrodes, and ECG paper,” the statement explained.
The statement further added, “The PSA believes that the primary reason for this dire situation is maladministration by the Department of Health, stemming from the non-payment of service providers.
“Despite the Eastern Cape Health MEC apparently being aware of the shortage of surgical consumables, including needles and other items, progress towards resolving this situation is slow.”
The PSA urged the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, to prioritise the rectification of the Department of Health as a top priority to avoid the potential loss of lives.
In response, Ndamase, said, “We can confirm that there is certainly no shortage of critical supplies. We do, however, acknowledge that our resources are under severe pressure.”
“This is a result of trauma cases and budgetary constraints.
“This is why we always urge people to drink responsibly because when they drink and drive, they cause accidents which put the healthcare system under severe pressure,” he stated.
Ndamase added that shootings and stabbings also contribute to the health system being under severe pressure.
“We can, without fear of contradiction, categorically state that there is no shortage of supplies in the Eastern Cape Department of Health yet,” Ndamase said.
