Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba has intervened following the temporary closure of King Williams Town’s Grey Hospital.
According to a statement late on Tuesday night, she also “reversed the decision” to make the hospital solely for Covid19 patients.
This followed a protest by staff members who reportedly complained about not having personal protective equipment and proper training.
In the statement, Gomba said she felt the decision to “use Grey Hospital to only treat Covid19 patients would result in severe economic hardships for poor communities serviced by the institution.”
“Come next week, the hospital will resume services for everyone with the exception of male general patients that will be admitted to Bhisho Hospital,” she said.
Gomba also directed Grey Hospital management to fast-track the “deep cleaning” of the hospital.
Labour unions, which have been at the forefront of the campaign to secure more personal protective equipment for frontline staff, were notified of the MEC’s decision.
