Covid-19: DA calls for swift intervention as KZN health facilities shut down due to PPE shortages
1 April 2020
The Democratic Alliance is extremely concerned by reports that several KwaZulu-Natal health facilities have been forced to close after staff refused to see patients due to a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The action comes amid massive fear among health personnel that they will become infected with Coronavirus and then spread the virus onto their families. It also comes as some hospital management threaten healthcare workers with disciplinary action if they refuse to treat patients, even Covid-19 patients. This despite not having the relevant personal protective gear.
The DA has received numerous calls and messages from KZN health personnel, notifying us of shortages of masks, gloves, aprons but also alcohol-basedHibitane disinfectants.
Despite this impossible situation, we have seen media reports of disciplinary actions against paramedics at Greys Hospital who refused to transport a suspected Covid-19. This due to the lack of PPE.
There are also patient reports that staff at the Phoenix Community Health Clinic had stopped delivering services for the same reason. Meanwhile, Doctors and nurses at RK Khan Hospital, in Chatsworth, were frantic in getting hold of protective gear with their first Covid-19 case.
There have also been reports of Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital not having sufficient amounts of Hibitane hand sanitiser, particularly in their ICU and Oncology wards.
The DA has also seen a letter from a hospital CEO threatening health personnel with disciplinary action if they refuse to treat patients, even Covid-19 patients. This despite not having the relevant personal protective gear.
Our healthcare professionals cannot be put at unnecessary risk. These are not just doctors, nurses and paramedics. They are also breadwinners to their families and mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children.
This lack of PPE, threats of disciplinary action and treatment of infectious patients is an unprecedented medical ethical dilemma. Equally alarming is that while medical personnel have raised these issues with their various hospital managements, they have not received a favourable response to date.
Yesterday, during a media briefing, National Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize and KZN’s Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu committed to resolving these shortages.
It is in this spirit that the DA has today written to them both, indicating the hospitals and clinics where complaints have arisen in KZN. We have urged them to act immediately to provide PPE to these facilities and to also indicate guidelines to protect health professionals in patient care during the period of shortages. This guidance will provide direction for health professionals until these vital resources arrive.
The DA has already put forward actions to fast track the provision of PPE through preferential international imports and prioritising local production. We remain committed to both supporting and fighting for the protection of our health professionals and patients during this Global Health Emergency.
Issued by Rishigen Viranna,DA KZN Spokesperson on Health, 1 April 2020
