Durban – The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and the board of the McCord Hospital in Durban have reached an agreement aimed at keeping the doors of the 104 year old hospital open.
MEC for Finance Ina Cronje told the media on Friday that the provincial government was to take over the running of the hospital with immediate effect and a task team had been set up to oversee the process.
Earlier this year, the hospital fell into financial difficulties after several key donors discontinued funding. The provincial Health Department did not renew its annual subsidy owing to certain unfulfilled but unstated contractual obligations.
Last week, the board announced that the hospital would be closing its doors as negotiations with the Department of Health over a takeover bid had deadlocked because the department’s offer was too low.
On Friday, the board, Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and Cronje told the media at a joint briefing that the 142-bed inpatient facility would not be closing.
A joint technical team with representatives from government and McCord hospital has been established to work on the technical and legal details related to the finalisation of the process of the takeover of McCord hospital by the provincial government and the transfer of staff.
The technical and legal teams commenced their work on 25 September.
An independent valuer would be appointed to value the hospital complex so as to facilitate the takeover of the facility.
Cronje said the technical team would complete its work as soon as possible. “Speed is of essence in this matter, if need be, the teams must move heaven and earth to make it happen.”
She said the priority for the provincial government was to provide the employees, the public and other stakeholders with stability.
McCord Hospital Board Chairman Professor Paulus Zulu praised Cronje for her tenacity, energy and wisdom during the difficult negotiations process.
Speaking to SAnews, Dr Dhlomo said among the many priorities of the technical team, was to ensure optimal usage of the facility and removing uncertainty.
Earlier this week, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union obtained an interim court order preventing the board from retrenching staff. The matter is due back in court next Friday.
Zola Saphetha provincial secretary of NEHAWU said it was premature to say whether they will withdraw their court action.
Welcoming the agreeement between the McCord Hospital and KwaZulu Natal Government to ensure that the hospital remains operational, IFP Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Hilda Msweli, MP said, “It is vital that hospital stays open as it services many of Durban’s poor and indigent. Its closure would not only leave many staff unemployed but would also greatly hinder medical service delivery in the area and place undue pressure on the area’s other medical facilities.”
McCord has been serving the community of Durban for 104 years and has been at the forefront of the treatment of HIV/Aids.
Msweli further stated, “We welcome the appointment of a joint technical team to oversee the operations process at the hospital and suggest that any challenges that may arise be reported immediately to the KZN MEC for Health so that such challenges can be attended to as a matter of urgency.”
The IFP calls on the KwaZulu Natal Government to further consider the re-opening of Pongola hospital asits closure has left a gaping hole in medical service delivery to the residents of Pongola.
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