Provincial government will visit Standerton Hospital soon
According to the statement, the MEC, Vusi Shongwe, responded by committing himself to personally bring together Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, and Public Works MEC, Mohita Lachminarain, to visit the hospital.
The situation with regard to lifts at Standerton Hospital, has improved.
The Standerton Advertiser ran a front-page-article on April 2 about the dilemma of doctors, personnel and those in the medical field who had to contend with staircases and patients needing an operation or different ward.
Two medical practitioners in town also gave their take on the situation with comments ranging from Middle Age-practices to managerial conduct that resulted in sub-standard conditions.
The situation prompted Ms Jane Sithole, DA-spokesman on health in Mpumalanga, to issue a statement on September 2, saying the provincial government has committed to fix the lifts.
According to Ms Sithole, the house adopted their motion without notice on March 25, calling for both the Department of Health and Public Works to replace or fix the lifts.
“After our motion was adopted, the DA conducted an oversight at the hospital and we were happy to find a contractor there, who seemed to be fixing the lifts,” Ms Sithole said.
When another oversight was conducted recently, they learnt that the contractor abandoned the work and has not been on site for weeks.
According to her, healthcare workers continue to carry critically ill patients and heavily pregnant women up and down the stairs.
In a recent provincial legislature hybrid sitting, the DA raised a member statement, reminding government of their commitment.
“The DA also reminded government of the plight and challenges faced by healthcare workers as they continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic.”
The compounded effect of the physical challenges and pandemic was called unfair.
According to the statement, MEC Vusi Shongwe, responded by committing himself to personally bring together Health MEC Sasekani Manzini, and Public Works MEC, Mohita Lachminarain, to visit the hospital.
Mr Shongwe furthermore, said the problem will be solved soon.
The DA concluded by saying the situation will be monitored very closely and should the problem not be resolved, they will be held accountable.
According to a reliable source’s information of September 7, the bigger lift at the entrance is not working, while the smaller lift is up and running.
Electricity interruptions however, have the final say.
The newspaper called the landline number of the Department of Health in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, September 8.
The call however, went unanswered.
