BABIES WILL DIE IF HEALTH LAB CLOSES

Babies will die if the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) closes its laboratory at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in west Johannesburg.

This is due to happen very soon as the NHLS faces a financial crisis because of non-payment by the Gauteng Health Department which owes about R700 million.

The problem is that time is critical when doing blood and other tests, which are now done within half an hour in emergency cases.

These tests are needed for speedy diagnosis of conditions like anaemia, diarrhoea, meningitis, kidney function, tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and pneumonia.

If the laboratory is closed at Rahima Moosa they will have to use the lab at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, which is a distance away and already hard-pressed.

The lab at the nearby Helen Joseph Hospital will be closing at 5 pm, so night tests will be a problem.

The laboratory at the South Rand Hospital closes today, creating severe problems there as well.

National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi must step in urgently to save these laboratories.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, February 2 2012

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