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30 December 2007

On 29 December 2007, the Minister of Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang together with the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal Ms Neliswa Nkonyeni visited King Edward VIII and Addington Hospitals and were shocked by what healthcare workers have to cope with.

The purpose of the visit was to make an assessment of the workload that healthcare workers have to cope with and also find out what plans are in place to cope with such an increase over the holiday season. On her arrival she was informed that the KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Rescue Service has attended to 7 565 assault cases and 240 gunshot victims as of 1 to 27 December. This is believed to be as a result of an increased alcohol and drug intake.

At King Edward Hospital the Minister and the MEC were given statistics of patients seen as of 1 to 29 December in trauma and emergency units. These revealed that the hospital has attended to 88 assault cases, 74 gunshot victims (including a family killing in Inanda where a six month old child was also shot at), 150 stab victims, 22 cases of domestic violence and 433 motor vehicle accident (MVA) cases.

At Addington the Minister and the MEC were informed that there have been 2 895 trauma patients since the 1st of December and these include 606 assault cases, 28 gun shot victims, 312 stab victims, 75 rape survivors (20 of these being children), 48 drunk drivers and 442 MVA cases.

The figures show an increase from the annual average of patients seen during the year up to November. However, plans are in place to deal with the increase in workload. What shocked the Minister and the MEC was the fact that the assaults are becoming more gruesome with most cases being stabbed in the upper parts of the body like the neck and head. The common weapons used are bottles and pangas and many cases come to the hospitals around midnight under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Minister and the MEC took rounds talking to staff and patients, but most importantly personally thanking staff for the good work they are doing for the people. They both listened to some of the operational challenges that were presented by staff and committed to looking into these so that health workers' conditions are improved for the better. They also met patients some of whom were victims of assaults and motor vehicle accidents. They conveyed a message for people to refrain from over indulgence in alcoholic beverages. She also warned against the "nauseating" indulgence in drugs that seems to be breaking our society.

She challenges all healthcare workers to join government in launching a Health Lifestyle Programme in February 2008 that will educating the public about the dangers of unhealthy habits.

Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567

Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
30 December 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)