Latest news with #LivingstoneHospital
The Herald
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald
SAHRC to investigate shortages of chemo medication at Nelson Mandela Bay hospitals
The DA has called on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate how medical professionals at the Livingstone and PE Provincial hospitals in Nelson Mandela Bay have been forced to ration medication and prioritise patients due to a shortage of chemotherapy drugs. It has also urged the commission to recommend that the province's department of health be placed under administration. SAHRC Eastern Cape manager Eileen Carter said an investigation into the allegations had been opened. 'It will now be undertaken as per our complaints handling processes,' she said. Eastern Cape MPL Jane Cowley, who filed the complaint with the commission on Friday, said chemotherapy drugs had allegedly been out of stock for prolonged periods and treatment delays had become commonplace. 'Medical professionals have reportedly been forced into the untenable position of prioritising which patients receive the limited treatment available. 'Other patients are sent home without care, despite the urgency of their conditions,' Cowley said. She said oncology services at the hospitals had collapsed. 'These accounts indicate a systemic collapse in the department's medicine procurement and distribution systems. 'A failure that constitutes administrative negligence with catastrophic consequences,' she wrote. Cowley has requested that the commission also adjudicate whether the department had, by failing to provide health care, breached the patient's constitutional rights to life and dignity. She has requested that an order be issued compelling the department to immediately restore the supply of oncology medications to all affected facilities and that protective measures be put in place for whistle-blowers who exposed or reported the failures. 'A public apology from the department to affected patients and families, and a clear, time-bound recovery plan to ensure sustainable access to cancer treatment.' Cowley said healthcare workers were forced to make impossible choices daily. 'How does one explain to the mother of a 14-year-old boy that his treatment cannot continue because the department's nonpayment has led the supplier to close their account. 'How does a doctor respond to a heartfelt letter from a 33-year-old woman, diagnosed with a curable form of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, who is begging for treatment so she can raise her three-year-old child. 'Across the province, emotionally and physically exhausted doctors and nurses do their best in facilities that often lack even the most basic medicines and surgical equipment,' she said. Provincial health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department had set aside R200m for specialist medicines, including for cancer. Kupelo said outstanding payments totalling R43m to service providers would be made by the end of the week. 'We have strengthened our distribution plan, and our main medicine depots are strategically positioned to supply the entire province. 'These are the PE medical depot in Gqeberha and Mthatha medical depot in the OR Tambo district. 'Cancer patients are receiving their treatment. In some instances, alternative regimes were administered. 'This week, the department is expecting additional stock from Adcock Health, Fresenius, Kiara and Macleods. 'At least two senior officials at the level of the chief directors were assigned to Gqeberha to accelerate service delivery issues at both Livingstone and Dora Nginza hospitals,' Kupelo said. Kupelo said 10 doctors and 20 nurses had been appointed for Dora Nginza hospital. 'Recruitment processes to employ permanent CEOs at both Frere and Livingstone hospitals are now under way, a move that is aimed at strengthening administration in these two big hospitals in the province.' The Herald
The Herald
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald
R200m cash injection for specialist medication
The Eastern Cape health department has allocated R200m to the procurement of essential specialist medication, including cancer treatment. According to health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo, R43m of this allocation would be used for paying pharmaceutical companies for cancer medication still owed from the last financial year. This payment is expected to be effected this week. The payment would assist in clearing existing backlogs before the end of May, according to Kupelo. 'Availability of all categories of essential medicines in all our health facilities is a priority, and every year the department budgets over R2bn for this purpose,' he said. 'We have strengthened our distribution plan, and our main medicine depots are strategically positioned to supply the entire province. 'This includes the medical depots in Gqeberha and Mthatha. 'These depots are also assisting health facilities, including clinics. 'Consistent monitoring of stock levels is undertaken to ensure facilities remain with stock and also curb keeping of expired medication or dispensing to our patients.' In addition, Kupelo said at least two senior officials were assigned to Gqeberha to accelerate service delivery issues at both Livingstone and Dora Nginza hospitals. 'Already, a total of 10 doctors and 20 nurses have been appointed to Dora Nginza Hospital. 'Recruitment processes to employ permanent CEOs at both Frere and Livingstone hospitals are currently under way, a move that is aimed at strengthening administration at these two big hospitals in the province,' he said. The Herald
News24
19-05-2025
- Health
- News24
Eastern Cape health dept hunts whistleblower who exposed doctor shortage at Livingstone Hospital
Livingstone Hospital staff fear retaliation as the Eastern Cape health department probes a leaked letter about doctor shortages, which the department claims was penned by 'faceless individuals' to destabilise the facility.
