NO BANDAGES IN SOWETO CLINICS

Soweto clinics are suffering from a severe shortage of bandages, and are asking patients to buy their own. I discovered this after receiving complaints and then double-checking through contacts at various clinics in Soweto.

At Mofolo Clinic some patients were even requested to wash bandages and bring them back for re-use. The Lillian Ngoyi Clinic is also short of bandages and dressings.

Budget problems are blamed for the shortage, but this is a poor excuse. How can there be no money for something as basic as bandages for wounds?

I have written today to Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe to investigate this urgently.

Shortages of a basic item like bandages compromises health care and makes life difficult for both staff and patients at these clinics.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, October 12 2011

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