DA welcomes SAHRC probe into RK Khan Hospital maggot case

8 July 2019

The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the announcement of an investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission [SAHRC] after 52-year-old RK Khan patient, Sadick Ebrahim, was found with maggots in his mouth before his death on Tuesday last week.

The DA is staggered by this incident. The ‘own initiative investigation’ by the SAHRC is exactly what is needed. This is because the notice given by KZN Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, of a probe into this alleged despicable lapse in care, will amount to nothing from her side.

We know this because of the numerous cases in the past, where her predecessor promised investigations into serious matters which ended with no consequences whatsoever. No one was held accountable in these instances and, certainly, no one was ever fired.

The DA has conducted several oversight inspections at this hospital in recent years. The facility operates at a higher than normal capacity yet it is severely understaffed.  This is no doubt a major contributor to many of the complaints that the DA has received.

It is on this basis that we will today write to the SAHRC to request that it broadens the scope of this particular investigation to include patient care as a whole at this facility. We will also request that strict directives are issued upon completion of its findings in order to hold the new MEC and her Department to account in the interest of all citizens of KZN.

The ANC-led political leadership of KZN’s Department of Health (DoH) has often been found sitting on its hands in recent years with regards to staffing, infrastructure and medicine supply. The conditions persist and this is unacceptable. It is also common knowledge that such poor service delivery is often rewarded by this ANC-led government. Certainly this is the case with former KZN Health MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo who, despite violating the human rights of oncology patients in our province, is now set to preside over the national health portfolio committee.

The DA extends its sincere condolences to the Ebrahim family who have undoubtedly experienced severe anguish over this horrific incident. We will visit the family on Wednesday to offer our sympathies and will also visit the RK Khan Hospital CEO on the same day.  The new MEC must not attempt to stop this meeting with facility management, something her predecessor was known to do when the heat was on.

The DA remains committed to ensuring proper healthcare in an environment that is free of corruption and where there is accountability. Good service delivery without this is impossible.

Issued by Imran Keeka, Member of the DA in the KZN Legislature, 8 July 2019