LISTEN: IFP calls on KZN health dept to investigate condition of hospital equipment
The KZN Department of Health says it cannot order an investigation into the condition of medical equipment when accidents are isolated.
The department's been responding after an 11-year-old girl broke her leg and arm after an X-ray machine collapsed on her at Durban's Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, recently.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called on the department to appoint a task team to conduct an audit and investigate the condition of equipment at provincial hospitals.
The party's Ncamisile Nkwanyana says this is not the first accident of its kind.
MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo says it would be time consuming to assess all 79 hospitals' equipment.
"There's nothing that tells me that I must stop everything now and start investigating all the equipment in 79 hospitals, each and every equipment. This incident is not an indication. When last did you hear about it? I'm sure you haven't heard it for the past 20 years," he said.