JOHANNESBURG - The recent report exposing the neglect and poor services delivery issues at Helen Joseph Hospital is a call to address longstanding management issues.
This is according to Dr Aslam Dasoo, from the Progressive Health Forum.
He was reacting to the findings of a risk-based inspection and investigation into allegations against the hospital which was released by the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) alongside the Health Ombudsman.
The report laid bare the failures that have plagued hospital in Johannesburg. The investigation confirmed serious issues with the hospital’s management and infrastructure.
Among those included peeling paint, broken facilities, weak water supply on upper floors, inadequate security, food delivery issues and staff shortage.
Dasoo said these issues have been ongoing for over 20 years however they have been ignored the government and run by unskilled personals.
He said the current leadership needs to be removed and look at delegation of authority the health sector
Sharing the same sentiments is ActionSA's Dr. Kgosi Letlape a member of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Health who argues the health care sector has no accountability.
He says the system is weak and unless there is national competency and SOP's from the top to lower level sops top bottom so people can be held accountable.
Meanwhile Gauteng Department of Health has noted the report and says it will fast track the process to implement the recommendations as outlined by both the OHO and OHSC.
The department says it has already initiated province-wide interventions that are aimed at addressing the identified issues and beyond.
"These interventions include the reviewing of the organisational structure which is
currently awaiting approval processes," Gauteng health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said.
Modiba added the department has been strengthened with the appointment of a Deputy Director General which has led to the development of a comprehensive maintenance and upgrade
programme