ACDP leader appalled by working conditions at Tembisa Hospital
He said he will continue making noise and challenging government to employ more health-care workers
The president of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Rev Dr Kenneth Meshoe, paid a surprise visit to Tembisa Hospital on Saturday morning.
Meshoe’s visit to this hospital comes shortly after 10 babies died because of an outbreak of the antibiotic-resistant klebsiella.
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During his fact finding mission, Meshoe said he was surprised by the manner in which health-care workers in this hospital work. He said was appalled by the shortage of health-care workers manning this hospital.
“I was shocked to learn that most of the time, nurses and doctors here do not have the luxury of lunch breaks because they are working all the time,” he told The Tembisan.
“After sitting down with the leadership of the hospital and getting to hear the other side of the story, because every story has two sides, we came to understand what really happened here.
“But, moreover, we got to learn about the harsh and cruel conditions our nurses and doctors have to endure here, because they are short staffed.
“And so, we have come to appreciate the pressure in which staff in this hospital work in,” said Meshoe.
He said he would continue making noise and challenging government to employ more health-care workers not only in this hospital but all public health-care institutions.
“We are going to push government to employ more nurses and doctors, because the current staff working here and in other hospitals are appalling.
“And for them to continue giving excellent service to our people, they need to have more help.
“There are a number of good stories happening in this hospital and we want to build from them and motivate our nurses and doctors to continue working hard.
“For a change, we want to congratulate the workers and this hospital for the good service they are giving to our people,” he concluded.
He said he would come back to monitor proceedings and maybe get to speak to some of the health-care workers here.
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