Staff, medicine and water shortages in Eastern Cape clinics – SAHRC demands answers

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has up until the end of the month to respond to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on a range of complaints related to the ongoing systematic failures in the provision of public healthcare services in the province. Over a week ago, the commission ordered the department to provide a detailed written report addressing all outstanding complaints and outlining the steps being taken to remedy the concerns raised. These complaints include unsafe infrastructure, shortages of staff, limited access to essential medication and treatment, water shortages, clinic closures and unfair treatment of vulnerable patients.

“The purpose of the hearing was to obtain accountability from the department regarding more than twenty complaints that had been lodged with the commission and which had not received adequate responses despite previous engagement,” said Dr. Eileen Carter, the commission’s provincial manager, adding that the complaints have affected various health facilities in both urban and rural areas of the province.

The hearing was presided over by national commissioner, Adv. Sandra Makoasha, and attended by senior officials from the Eastern Cape Department of Health, including the head of department, Dr. Rolene Wagner.

Complaints brought to the commission

• Allegations that the Lurhwayizo Clinic, serving 5 villages in Gatyana, has just one nurse.
• Racism in the theatre unit at Frere Hospital in East London.
• No doctors at Tayler Bequest Hospital in Tlokoeng in Mount Fletcher. It is alleged that patients are refused access to the hospital as nurses say that there are no doctors.
• Shortage of staff and lack of infrastructure at Sada Clinic in Whittlesea
• Downgrading of Indwe Hospital.
• Staff shortage in the pharmacy unit at Frere Hospital
• Rigid insistence on presenting an ID before being assisted in Mgwali Clinic in Stutterheim. This allegedly led to a pregnant mother losing twins.

Unions in the healthcare sector

According to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw), the intervention by the human rights commission reveals the deepening crisis and systemic failures within the provincial healthcare system. Nupsaw provincial chairperson Thandile Mangele says the failures within the Eastern Cape healthcare system are structural, entrenched and a direct consequence of poor governance, maladministration, lack of political will, and the systematic neglect of public healthcare sector. He adds that the failure by the department to respond to Nupsaw’s memorandum of demands reflects a troubling disregard of lawful and meaningful engagement processes and worker voices.

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union’s (Nehawu) provincial secretary, Mlungiseleli Ncapayi agrees that the health department is failing to discharge its constitutional duties.

Nehawu blames national treasury’s austerity policies and a lack of committed leadership and skilled management in strategic position, for preventing the department from turning the situation around. “We are struggling with a shortage of staff, provision of medical equipment and machinery, adequate infrastructure and occupational health and safety conditions, as well as the competent management personnel to turn around the department,” said Ncapayi.  

Both Nehawu and Nupsaw view the state of public health in the Eastern Cape as a matter of public concern and have vowed to mobilise their constituencies to ensure that the department of health takes accountability for its failures and fulfills its public health constitutional duties.

The commission said it will assess whether further interventions are required to secure appropriate redress for the rights of affected communities.

Despite numerous attempts, the Eastern Cape Department of Health failed to respond to our queries by the time of publication.