DEAR Editor,-
The recent KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (DoH) media briefing – designed to excuse the numerous and ongoing failures on the part of MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo and his department – must be seen for the crisis management that it is.
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The MEC has a poor track-record when it comes to being upfront about healthcare in KZN, in particular the oncology crisis.
However, there are some matters he simply cannot continue to run away from.
While the supply of some chemo drugs waxes and wanes, those patients who are dependent on them will continue to suffer.
Then there is the resignation of two oncologists in the province within just a matter of days – leaving KZN in an even more precarious state when it comes to oncology services.
The MEC must also come clean about Ngwelezana and Queen Nandi hospitals.
Neither have radiotherapy machines and there is a contract for a limited number of patients with a private provider.
It is clear that MEC Dhlomo can no longer be trusted to provide any credible information because, like the apartheid government, his information is selectively distributed with every attempt made to keep matters hidden instead of ensuring transparency.
While the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report into the province’s oncology crisis was a tool to remedy the situation, the DA has always believed that the only way to turn KZN’s DoH around is to fire MEC Dhlomo.
This view is shared by civil society and various organisations. The question is: What is Premier Willies Mchunu waiting for?
Then there is the reckless comment by National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi that the province’s oncology crisis is over.
This is yet another purely political move aimed at protecting the image of a failed ANC MEC.
Such complicity in the deaths of some 530 cancer sufferers must be punished at the ballot box next year.
DR IMRAN KEEKA, MPL
DA KZN Spokesman on Health
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