Pixabay
The Democratic Alliance said it would appeal to Deputy President, David Mabuza, as the Leader of Government Business, to make an urgent intervention in the Eastern Cape’s health crisis.
DA MP, Siviwe Gwarube said over the past few weeks, “we have seen the systemic collapse of the Eastern Cape health system which has placed thousands of lives in mortal danger.”
In a statement on Monday, he said the opposition had previously written to the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, making the case for the Eastern Cape Department of Health to be placed under administration according to Section 100 of the Constitution.
“In an effort to escalate this matter, the DA will now include the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President David Mabuza and make the case for urgent intervention in the province,” Gwarube said.
On Monday he and DA MPL, Jane Cowley conducted an oversight inspection at Cecelia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane in East London to see first-hand the issues which the hospital is grappling with, over and above the surging numbers of the pandemic.
“Issues such as chronic staff shortages, dangerous lack of oxygen supply, insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) are only some of the key matters.”
He said they were also made aware that CMH is only operating with two ICU beds dedicated for Covid-19 patients with plans afoot to add 12 more ICU beds.
“Just this morning, it was reported that hundreds of Covid-19 test kits with patients’ details were found dumped on the N2 between East London and Mdantsane. It is unclear where these specimens came from, but this issue points to the utter chaos that is unfolding in the Eastern Cape,” Gwarube added.
Gwarube and Cowley will visit the Fort England psychiatric hospital in Makhanda/Grahamstown.
