EFF Sekhukhune demands Health Minister’s intervention in Philadelphia Hospital crisis
DENNILTON
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Sekhukhune Region has written to Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, seeking his intervention to address overcrowding burdening strain experienced at Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM).
According to the party, 60% of the patients attended at the hospital are coming from neighboring Province of Mpumalanga in Nkangala District, which is bordering both Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces.
Ali Maloba, EFF Regional Spokesperson in Sekhukhune, said because Mamethlake and Kwa-Mhlanga hospitals which are supposed to serve residents of Nkangala region in Mpumalanga are more 70kms and 100kms away respectively, communities of the region’s Dr JS Moroka and surroundings of Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities are flocking to Philadelphia Hospital in Limpopo as it is located about 15kms away from them.
“It is concerning because emergency personnel from Mpumalanga are even transferring or transporting patients for treatment to Philadelphia hospital without their province allocating enough budget to cater them, of which after admissions, Limpopo department of health will have to cater for all services including transporting patients to referral hospitals in Gauteng And Polokwane,” explained Maloba.
Maloba indicated that the other concerning issue is that during budget allocation, Limpopo department of health and Sekhukhune district only allocate budget for a limited number of people, guided by recent census statistics and Sekhukhune district integrated development plan.
“The sad part is Mpumalanga Department Of Health only dumps patients without allocating budget and resources, with Limpopo department of health having to see a start to finish and this is placing a severe burden on the Limpopo Health Department finances because in most instances, patients in serious conditions have to be transferred to tertiary institution Polokwane Hospital and Mankweng Hospital which they are both 500kms away and return,” explained Maloba.
Maloba, who was Board Member at Philadelphia Hospital, stated that during his term, the board tried to address the issues with Mpumalanga Health Department, seeking to establish a memorandum of understanding, however, the Mpumalanga side seemed to have no interest in the issues.
“It is saddening because budget allocation for Philadelphia hospital is under pressure because of provincial cross borders. The department of health in Limpopo quarterly planning and resource allocation also becomes difficult because management is not sure of their population, the planned patient transport is also under severe pressure because Mpumalanga only transport patients to Philadelphia hospital and later not taking care of other services, they only dump them and leave,” explained Maloba.
He added that the burdening is also putting Philadelphia hospital staff under severe pressure because they are now providing services to two district, Sekhukhune and Nkangala with limited resources.
The influx of unbudgeted patients from neighboring province if not attend as matter of urgency, may collapse services at Philadelphia hospital and will continue to have a direct negative impact on the health care sector of Limpopo, specifically Sekhukhune District,” Maloba said.
He said they understand the fact that everyone has the right to access health care services as a basic human right guaranteed by the constitution, however, Section 27 of the constitution provides that everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care services and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
“The Mpumalanga Department of Health and Nkangala District need to come to the party. We requested immediate intervention from the office of minister in addressing the highlighted challenges from Philadelphia Hospital Limpopo Province,” Maloba said.
