Pregnant foreigners favoured at RK Khan ‘not true’
The Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal has dismissed claims that South African patients are being sidelined in favour of foreign nationals at RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth.
It's after a viral social media post alleged that pregnant South African women were being denied beds in the hospital’s antenatal ward.
According to the post, the ward is occupied by 10 foreign nationals.
Provincial spokesperson Nathi Oliphant says the department serves a diverse population.
He says the notion of preferential treatment is not only untrue but dangerously misleading.
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"We strongly refute these allegations. Following these reports, the department conducted an immediate assessment of the situation at the hospital. The findings clearly indicate that of the 40 patients admitted to the antenatal ward, only four were foreign nationals. Furthermore, all patients were accommodated in beds, and there was no shortage of space in the ward at the time of inspection.
"The department recognises that our health facilities serve a diverse population, and foreign nationals do access our services from time to time.
"However, we categorically state that patients are admitted based on medical need, not nationality. The Constitution and applicable health legislation oblige us to provide care to all individuals who present at our facilities, irrespective of origin."
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