ActionSA Writes to MEC for Health Requesting an Urgent Joint Oversight in KZN Healthcare Facilities Following Medication Shortages

Many KZN residents have expressed their frustrations on social media about their inability to access essential medication, yet the department claims to be unaware of the crisis.

To assist the MEC in understanding the severity of the situation, ActionSA is prepared to provide detailed information on affected healthcare facilities, as well as the names of residents who have personally reported their struggles in accessing vital medication.

We are also deeply concerned by reports that certain suppliers, including those providing essential injections, have not been paid by the Department of Health. These suppliers have allegedly been told to wait until April for payments, further exacerbating the crisis.

Additionally, some security companies stationed at healthcare facilities have also gone unpaid.

In our letter to the MEC, we informed her that our intention is not to cause panic but to bring this urgent matter to the MEC’s attention. The reality is that the department appears to be out of funds, and we had hoped this would prompt the MEC to engage with the KZN Cabinet and Premier to urgently approach National Treasury for financial assistance.

It is concerning that the department chose to conduct a PR campaign by selectively interviewing patients at certain clinics about their experiences, rather than engaging with healthcare professionals who could have provided an honest and informed perspective on the crisis.

To further control the narrative, the department visited a depot to showcase stocked medication instead of assessing the situation directly at healthcare facilities where shortages are being reported.

Additionally, the department has completely disregarded the numerous comments from KZN residents on its social media platforms, where people are openly sharing their struggles in accessing essential medication.

And it is for this reason that we have written to the MEC, requesting her availability for a joint oversight.