Activism

MEDIA INVITE: March to Western Cape Provincial Parliament

MEDIA INVITE – PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

ACTIVISTS DEMAND IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICES IN WESTERN CAPE

1500 health activists from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), COSATU, People’s Health Movement South Africa, and South African Medical Association (SAMA) will march to the Provincial Parliament in Cape Town, to demand urgent action to address the on-going problems in accessing quality treatment and care services across the Western Cape.

The TAC and partners are frustrated with the ongoing high volume of complaints about health services in the province, as many patients are dissatisfied with the treatment and care they receive.

THURSDAY 10th APRIL – PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN

Start location Keizersgracht by the University of Technology at 09h30. 

Rally at Provincial Parliament and Memorandum handover 11h30 – 12h30.

BACKGROUND:

On 14th May 2013, the TAC first submitted a list of complaints to Khayelitsha District Hospital’s management including 30 testimonials from patients treated at the hospital. Complaints include long waiting times to be seen in the emergency department, lack of bed capacity, poor treatment by hospital staff and insufficient doctors to meet demand. The behaviour of Khayelitsha Hospital staff was mentioned in a number of testimonials.

On 14th August 2013 the TAC and community members marched to Khayelitsha Hospital to deliver a memorandum to the CEO of Khayelitsha Hospital, explaining our concerns.  After the march the TAC met with Hospital CEO, Anwar Kharwa and with the Khayelitsha Hospital Board requesting a strategy to address these issues and complaints. However, despite numerous meetings and engagements with Khayelitsha Hospital after the march in August 2013 we continue to have community members coming to TAC offices complaining about poor treatment and care. 

Following an inspection by the MEC of Health, no problems were reported. However, problems continue to arise not only in Khayelitsha hospital, but also in hospital such as GF Joster and Groote Schuur. The TAC and partners are dissatisfied with the response from Khayelitsha District Hospital and the MEC of Health and are marching to voice our and the communities concerns.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS, CONTACT:

Karabo Monatisi, Treatment Action Campaign

cptkarabo@gmail.com / 074 834 9093

FOR COMMENT PLEASE CONTACT:

Mthuthuzeli Dutyulwa — 071 118 0937                                         

Amelia Mfiki — 083 938 1553                                                

Nonqaba Melani — 083 551 2515

Follow live tweets and photos from the march with @TAC on Twitter, using #Vote4Health