KZN public hospitals face severe shortage of specialists

LONG WAIT

- THAMI MAGUBANE [e-mail]

PATIENTS in need of specialist care in KwaZulu-Natal are facing extended wait times due to a severe shortage of specialist doctors in the province's government hospitals. Currently, there is a backlog of close to 10 000 patients awaiting treatment.

These revelations come from parliamentary questions detailing the number of specialists and doctors available in various hospitals across the province.

DA spokesperson on health, Dr Imran Keeka, who is also the chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee, highlighted the alarming situation regarding not only the dire shortage of specialists but also the lengthy waiting periods for many patients.

The areas affected include.

Ophthalmologists: The backlog of patients waiting to see an ophthalmologist is a staggering 9 406, while there are just 18 ophthalmologists across nine provincial hospitals. An additional 15 are required, and the Department of Health has approved the appointment of 12. Currently, nine registrars are undergoing training, with five due to exit at the end of the year and no new registrars to be admitted this year.

Cardiologists: KZN has only four cardiologists based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Grey's Hospital, and Ngwelezana Hospital, while the department requires a minimum of seven. Of those, only one is permanent at IALCH. While emergency cases are attended to, there is a waiting period of up to six months for appointments, with no new registrars to be admitted this year.