Health MEC 'not sitting on report'
2010-07-19 19:09
Cape Town - Eastern Cape Health MEC Phumulo Masualle was not stalling on a report arising out of the furore over baby deaths at East London's Frere Hospital, his spokesperson said on Monday.
"We received the final report a week ago," said Sizwe Kupelo.
"We reject claims that the MEC is sitting on the report."
He was reacting to a statement last week by Democratic Alliance health spokesperson Mike Waters, who said Masualle was stalling the investigation "by simply sitting on the PSC report".
The PSC - the Public Service Commission - investigated the matter following a complaint from Waters at the end of 2007.
Waters' complaint followed news reports on baby deaths at the hospital, and the dismissal of its whistle-blowing medical superintendent, Dr Nokuzola Ntshona.
Alleged cover-up
Kupelo said the report dealt with the issues raised by Waters: general maintenance in the East London hospital complex, an alleged cover-up by the complex's chief executive Luvuyo Mosana, Mosana's qualifications, and the allegation that he fired a whistle-blower.
"It has got nothing about baby deaths," Kupelo said.
"Not even a word talks about baby deaths."
He said Masualle was consulting the State Law Adviser on the report.
The MEC would not make it public, as it was a PSC document.
"We are not the custodians of the report. We cannot be expected to release the report ourselves," Kupelo said.
"Ours is to act on the findings and recommendations in it."
- SAPA
