The Public Servants Association (PSA) says it is extremely concerned about the lack of medical supplies at Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha.
In a statement on Tuesday, association spokesperson Riaan Vosloo spoke of how the non-availability of syringes is negatively impacting the performance of health workers who are unable to properly fulfil their duties.
He said communities are at severe risk as they are not receiving proper healthcare.
"There are 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."
According to Vosloo, the association 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.
In 2022, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health said Livingstone Hospital is in such bad state that it did not deserve to be called a hospital.
