Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo has told Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital staff that it is unacceptable to deny patients their basic right to quality healthcare.
"Increasing attention needs to be paid to clinical excellence in service provision as a basis for good health outcomes," he said, adding that clinical excellence depends on behavioural changes.
Dhlomo on Tuesday visited the hospital following a number of complaints raised by the public regarding unacceptable treatment they receive from the hospital staff.
"The problems have been so glaring that I briefed Premier Zweli Mkhize on my visit to the point that he shared my worry and urgency in curbing the situation," Dhlomo said.
The antiretroviral clinic, pharmacy, maternity and mortuary were identified as the four main problem areas.
"It was shocking to hear that patients are chased away after 12pm and I find this unacceptable given the catchment areas serviced by the hospital and our goal to keep patients on ARV therapy.
"The stories of long queues and patients 'toyi-toying' have been the feature of the hospital's pharmacy. I have been told that the manager has frequently disrupted all measures being put in place by the district," said Dhlomo.
The MEC called for the wrongs to be corrected, reminding hospital staff that they needed to function within the department's policy framework.
