DA calls for Stanger Hospital to be placed under administration

Following an open-ended tsunami of complaints, Dr Imran Keeka, Democratic Alliance (DA) member of KZN parliamentary legislature (MPL), has called for Stanger Hospital to be put under administration.

Doctors and nurses are reportedly working under “sauna-like” conditions with patients enduring sweltering conditions due to problems with the air-conditioning.

At the same time, he claims that top management are “chilling in their offices, not interested in the rest.”

The MPL put forward his case claiming to have a reliable source working at the hospital.

He said the nursery and casualty wards were also very hot with temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.

“According to our source, the air-conditioning units in the out patient department, pharmacy and theatre only recently received some attention after the theatre was shockingly closed for two weeks,” said Keeka.

He said up to then only emergency operations were performed due to the harsh conditions, there was no medical oxygen in the wall units and cylinders had to be used to supply patients with oxygen instead.

“Patients requiring life support have to be manually ventilated until alternate arrangements are made and patients transferred,” said Keeka.

He said this was not the first time the hospital had landed itself in hot water. Last year, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, KZN health MEC, had to make several interventions, yet the same people are at the helm.

Meanwhile, the KZN health department released a media statement, blaming the lack of air-conditioning on the current drought.

The hospital reportedly used old water cooled air-conditioners, which could use up to 20 000 litres of water a day.

“The shortage of water compels the department to, in certain instances, shut down these units,” said Agiza Hlongwane, KZN health media liaison.

He said conditions were aggravated by the age and size of the hospital.

“The hospital was built decades ago and was meant to serve only a few members of the population,” said Hlongwane.

As a short term measure, the health department is apparently in the process of sinking a borehole to add to their current one.

In the long term, the department aims to replace the old water cooled air-conditioners with air cooled ones.

Hlongwane said a contractor has already been appointed and is on-site. The new air-conditioners are planned to be fully functional by March 2016.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.