Madam Deputy Speaker, recent newspaper reports have revealed that some KwaZulu-Natal hospitals are experiencing a range of problems. The disappearance of a baby from the mortuary at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital is one sad case. The body of Zinhle Shabane's newborn baby disappeared without trace after there was no one to receive it at the mortuary.
The Mail & Guardian has listed many other problems that cause poor service delivery and compromise the health of patients at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and at the King Edward VIII Hospital.
The Department of Health should acknowledge the fact that a staff shortage is the major cause of these problems. In rural hospitals there is also not enough staff to deal with the backlogs. It is unfair for the department to expect staff working under these abnormal constraints to cope. We believe the problems facing our health centres are structural and that they therefore need the intervention of the Minister and his department. I thank you.