Viral Videos Highlight Gauteng Hospital Failure

Dear Editor

Today I visited well-known broadcaster Tom London, whose viral Facebook videos have highlighted poor conditions at the Helen Joseph Hospital, including the terrible attitudes of doctors who “treat patients like cockroaches.”

London was admitted with a bad lung infection, and after nine days of treatment posted a stinging video about the “Helen Joseph Circus Hospital”.

He shows broken toilets and crumbling infrastructure, and he describes the callous behaviour of doctors more interested in talking about their bonuses and restaurants than caring for patients.

I don’t see how this will improve under newly appointed Head of Department Mr Arnold Lesiba Malotana, who is being investigated by the SIU for allegedly sharing a R8 million bribe with two officials.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi should review Malotana’s appointment if he is serious about fixing Gauteng’s hospitals.

Empathy was lacking for a dying man in his ward, and when he died his body lay for hours attracting scores of flies. In a dramatic turn, London says a mother contacted him about whether this might be her missing son, and he had to break the news of his death after positively identifying him.

I think London is lucky to be alive as donations have poured in for his transfer to a private hospital where he is now recovering.

His dire experience shows that drastic changes are needed in the management of Gauteng public hospitals.

It is appalling that Helen Joseph Hospital has not had a permanent CEO for years, and promised upgrading has not happened. The department’s “I Serve With A Smile” campaign has clearly failed at this hospital.

The broader picture is that the Gauteng Health Department is notorious for corruption and inefficiency.

Regards

Jack Bloom MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC