Sex for jobs and other ills plague Lenasia South Hospital
Sex for jobs is among the alleged ills that take place at Lenasia South Hospital.Image: File
SIYABONGA SITHOLE
Sex for jobs, filling of learnership posts by people bused in from Alexandra, nepotism and absenteeism as well as lack of discipline and uncollected refuse are some of the issues plaguing Lenasia South Hospital. This is according to DA Gauteng spokesperson for health, Nicola Du Plesis.
Du Plesis says the party is concerned about the range of issues crippling the hospital which are a result of years of neglect.
Du Plesis added that exploitation of workers and nepotism at the facility were rampant with high levels of absenteeism by the nursing staff also among the issues identified.
She further accused the hospital management of turning a blind eye to ill-discipline.
“Concerns over exploitation of cleaners and nepotism allegations have fallen on deaf ears and continue to affect the rendering of health services to the community.
“It is alleged that there is a high level of absenteeism among nursing staff, yet the hospital management is not doing enough to curb it and discipline those involved,” Du Plesis said.
According to the party, the problems at the hospital were not new and date as far back as 2010 after the community raised its issues with the hospital management. It is also reported that in 2014, complainants had their lives threatened when they tried to point out the issues.
“To date, nothing has come out of the complaints and a case they opened with the police. The complaints include busing of people (from) as far as Alexandra to fill learnership programme positions at the hospital and allegations of sex for jobs by management,” Du Plesis said.
The party added that on top of endless complaints and allegations, the hospital’s waiting times for treatment had dramatically increased.
“A recent incident involves allegations that nurses refused to assist a woman in labour because they were on tea break. The woman had to be rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where she gave birth shortly after arrival.
“During the DA’s oversight inspection at the hospital, we also discovered that there is an increase in unhygienic conditions. The garbage is not collected timeously and there are piles of rubbish. In addition, the hospital has security issues, and it’s parking area is open for use by big trucks blocking parking spaces for patients.” Du Plesis said the DA would be writing to Gauteng MEC of Health, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi to seek clarity and investigations at the hospital.