PATIENTS reliant on KwaZulu-Natal's public health service will have their medical needs placed on the back-burner during the World Cup period, as designated 2010 hospitals in the province gear up to ensure that wards are only half-full, in the event of a large-scale medical crisis.

According to media reports, hospital wards are to be freed up to cater for tourists, in terms of FIFA guidelines.  The move also sees a ban on all elective surgeries during the 5-week tournament, adding to an existing 4-month backlog within the province. Democratic Alliance KZN health spokesperson, John Steenhuisen, has hit back at provincial health officials for allowing services to be compromised.  "KwaZulu-Natal's track-record when it comes to basic health care is less that sterling.  While the World Cup is set to bring massive economic benefit to the province, it should not be at the expense of something so crucial."

Steenhuisen's comments come amid concerns that KZN's state hospitals are ill-equipped to deal with emergencies during the World Cup. "The warning signs have been there all along.  News that Addington hospital was short of anaesthetists last weekend and that there is a critical shortage of staff in the emergency ward are hardly revelations.  Of extreme concern, however, are the conflicting reports that the public are receiving.  FIFA is alleged to have provided the national health department with funding to provide for additional resources during the World Cup, yet medical staff on the ground claim they have seen no improvements.  Meanwhile, the province's health department seems to be in a state of denial, insisting that all is well - the puzzle pieces just don't fit."

Statement issued by John Steenhuisen, MPP, DA KZN spokesperson for health, May 10 2010

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