NELSPRUIT – Ironically, you have to be fit and healthy if you want to access the upper levels of Rob Ferreira Hospital, since only one lift is in working order.
Lowvelder had received anonymous reports that bodies were being kept in beds in the hospital’s wards for days until nursing staff had time to carry them down the stairs since the lifts were out of order. The newspaper went to investigate and found that, although they were not working, bodies were not being kept in beds.
There was a lift in order, the one used to transport emergency patients brought in by helicopter. Mr James Masango, the DA spokesman for health, added that patients couldn’t be taken to theatre unless they were able to walk up stairs.
He explained that the contractor maintaining the lifts at Rob Ferreira has not been paid for over three years. “Yet, he continued to maintain and service them. Now the lifts are in need of crucial repair and spare parts and the contractor refuses to supply these without some form of payment,” he said.
Lowvelder sent detailed questions to the provincial department of health’s spokesman, Mr Ronnie Masilela, about the issue. The paper asked him how much the contractor was owed exactly and why the department had failed to settle the debt.
At first Masilela said they were having a gathering with the contractor to obtain all documents relating to the “alleged” debt. “We will know more after the meeting,” he said. “Alternate options (sic) to move patients who were supposed to be relocated using the ‘currently out order’ lifts are being done so without problems. Our plan B is therefore proving to work in our favour in executing our tasks and ensuring patients get the medical treatment they deserve or as prescribed by our medical practitioners.
“We will then be in position (sic) to comment further after the meeting with the contractor as we want them to immediate repair.”
On Wednesday Masilela added, “We had a fruitful meeting with the contractors and agreed that documentation must be presented to us showing the debt, the work done and dates so we can process payment. We are currently awaiting those documents but are optimistic that there will be a breakthrough on the matter soon.”
