Dear Editor
While South Africa continues to be held ransom by Eskom, the strain it further places on the health care system is becoming more concerning as the Western Cape has instituted various measures to contain this risk, our post-Covid recovery efforts are being undermined by the ANC national government.
With the surgical backlogs at 77 139 in July, it is essential that our facilities have a stable supply of electricity to tend to this. Therefore, I will be submitting questions to Minister Nomafrench Mbombo to determine the impact rolling blackouts have on the surgical backlogs as well as the mortality rates in hospitals.
In our province, the provincial government has already instituted various measures so that service delivery can continue:
- The fuel levels for generators are always monitored and kept at a sufficient level, with the Department having spent almost R22 million between April and June on diesel;
- A project has begun to supply 25 facilities with inverters to protect them against load shedding; and
- A back-up rollout plan is currently being formulated for priority primary healthcare facilities and other facilities as well.
Even though these initiatives safeguard the Western Cape’s health care sector, we must be prepared for the possibility of a national collapse of the electricity grid. It is for this reason why the Department has established an Electrical Supply Preparedness Plan in order for critical services to continue and that our hospitals continue to provide quality health services. I am extremely concerned about the impact that this national emergency, created by the African National Crisis, has had on health care in our province and the country holistically.
MPP Wendy Kaizer-Philander says: “Not only does this plan prove that we have a proactive Department going beyond its means, but it also shows the complete incompetence of our national government that does not care whether we live or die. We look forward to future developments with these initiatives.”
Regards
Wendy Kaizer-Philander, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health
