KZN Health MEC fails to account to legislature for use of EMS helicopter

KWAZULU-Natal Health MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has still not explained to members of the provincial legislature reasons for his use of an EMS helicopter on Saturday, 3 November 2012 - the same day that fifteen year old Asheen Maharaj needed to be airlifted to hospital following a serious motor accident.

The teenager, who lost both his parents and sister in the same accident, has been declared brain dead, allegedly as a result of not receiving hospital treatment sooner.

The MEC's delay in divulging the reasons for using the emergency-only helicopter is alarming. It smacks of an abuse of power. It also represents a failure to understand that by not taking the public into his confidence, he is merely fuelling speculation as to what exactly he was using the helicopter for.

Yesterday, the DA submitted the following written parliamentary questions to the KwaZulu-Natal health department;

• Was the EMS helicopter based in the Ethekweni Metro used by the MEC Health Dr S Dhlomo on Saturday 3 November 2012?
• For what purpose was the helicopter used?
• Who accompanied the MEC Health on this occasion?
• How many medical emergencies were reported in the Ethekweni Metro requiring the use of the EMS helicopter on Saturday 3 November?
• What are the details of these emergencies?

The Maharaj family, in particular, deserves to know why the EMS helicopter was not available. At the very least, the MEC must respond directly to them. The sooner the MEC deals with this matter, the better.

Statement issued by Makhosazana Mdlalose, MPP, DA KZN, November 13 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter