PAKES Dikgetsi, Cope MPL and a member of the portfolio committee on health in the Northern Cape Legislature, has demanded an “emergency inspection” of the military’s capacity to airlift the sick. Dikgetsi has written to the Chairperson of the Health Committee and the Speaker of the Legislature, giving them 24 hours to respond.

“We do not care that the legislature is meant to be on holiday during the World Cup,” said Dikgetsi in a statement yesterday “We are demanding this inspection and we will raise hell if we don’t get it.” He added that he wants the MEC of Health to personally be at the base during the inspection to explain himself to the health committee, if the inspection is given the go ahead. ?We cannot comprehend why the MEC would make such a crazy decision. There are serious concerns about the military’s ability to provide the same standard of service as the previous contract holder, the Red Cross. Hundreds of people, who otherwise would have been safely transported to a healthcare facility could die over the coming months if the service is not up to scratch.” A parliamentary question to the MEC asked by Dikgetsi has revealed that four maternal deaths have occurred in recent times after mothers-to-be were transferred to Kimberley Hospital, the party said yesterday. “Just about every other health care facility in the Province does not have the capacity to deal with pregnancy complications. These women died of things such as postpartum haemorrhages and bowel perforation. They were sent to Kimberley from places like De Aar and Hartswater because the hospitals where they live simply did not have the resources to treat them. “These facilities may have hospital written on the wall outside but in reality they are just hollow shells. The large amount of referrals to Kimberley from outlying areas all over the Province makes it absolutely crucial for emergency medical services to be efficient and safe.”

The Department of Health responded yesterday by saying that all political parties are “at liberty to make demands and suggestions to improve the quality of life of our communities regarding various issues at our localities.” Spokeswoman for health, Lulu Ntsie, said that appropriate procedures have been followed “and will continue to be followed to deal with demands and suggestions forwarded to the department”.

“The aim is to ensure delivery of better quality of service to our communities,” she said.

Article: Diamond Fields Advertiser

Date: 10 June 2010

Journalist: Sandi Kwon Hoo