Patients found sleeping on hospital floor

2011-07-07 22:11

Johannesburg - Two senior managers at a Queenstown hospital were handed letters of intended suspension after a surprise visit by the Health MEC Sicelo Gqobana, the Eastern Cape health department said on Thursday.

The Komani Psychiatric Hospital manager, Mandisa Oliphant, and the stores supervisor, Khanyisa Panga, have been charged with dereliction of duties and misconduct, said spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo.

Following reports about the appalling conditions at the hospital, Gqobana paid the hospital a surprise visit on Wednesday.

The MEC arrived to find that some patients were sleeping naked on the floor due to linen shortages. Other patients were infected with lice as warm water was not available.

The wards were dirty and smelling of urine, he said.

"The MEC was shocked to learn that these items [linen and cleaning equipment] were all available at the stores but were not given to patients or staff," said Kupelo.

Oliphant and Panga were given till Friday to give reasons stating why they should not be suspended.
 

- SAPA