HOSPITAL THEFT FIGURES WAY TOO LOW

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi has given figures for thefts from hospitals in Gauteng that I believe are far too low (see here).

According to a written reply to a parliamentary question, items worth R824 130 were stolen from Gauteng state hospitals between 2007 and 2010.

This comprised mainly computers and two stolen vehicles.

I am sure that the real figure for thefts is much higher than this.

Either the Minister is being given wrong figures or there is an inadequate monitoring system for thefts.

Deficient asset registration is a long-standing problem in hospitals, so in some cases the management don't even know that things have gone missing.

Hospital staff tell many stories about stolen medical supplies.

We will only stem widespread theft from hospitals when proper reporting and prevention systems are put in place.

The same is probably true for other provinces as well.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, March 30 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter