The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to make it mandatory that all frontline staff be retrained on proper customer care after reports that patients are being turned away at some healthcare facilities.
“Nandi Clinic in Stanger is one example of such a healthcare facility where patients are being turned away by nurses and of nurses treating patients with little or no respect. I conducted an unannounced oversight visit to this clinic where the patients told me that nurses are not treating them well.
My oversight visit came after I received serious complaints from concerned community members about bad treatment they received at Nandi Clinic. This is unacceptable and calls for immediate intervention by the MEC,” said IFP Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL. “The right of all citizens to receive quality treatment in public healthcare facilities is specifically guaranteed by our constitution. No one deserves to be treated in an inhumane manner especially by medical personnel who took an oath to serve those who are ill.
People go to these public health care facilities because they are in need of medical help from people who are paid from tax payer’s money. Nurses with bad attitudes towards patients must be removed from the health profession as their conduct is unacceptable,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana. “Government cannot hope to achieve its goals in terms of the National Health Insurance while such conditions prevail at our public health care facilities.
The MEC, HOD and other senior managers are urged to conduct unannounced visits without any fanfare to get a clear picture of what goes on and not be fooled by the airbrushed reports that they get from some facilities when they visit with delegations,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP demands that the MEC must develop a roadmap, which provides a strategic long-term framework for government in terms of human resource development, health facility upgrading and the establishment of specialised services and institutions.
ENDS Issued by: Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL, IFP Spokesperson on Health
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