by Jack Bloom MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC
Last week, the Gauteng High Court issued a stinging ruling that the Gauteng Health Department acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally in failing to provide urgent radiation treatment to thousands of cancer patients.
But five days later, we have yet to hear Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s response to this scandal which has probably caused more deaths than the 144 Life Esidimeni mental patients who died after being sent to illegal NGOs.
The DA believes Lesufi should immediately fire Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Head of Department Lesiba Malotana.
Every day that he delays in firing them shows how little he cares about fixing up this notoriously corrupt and inefficient department.
According to Justice Stephen van Nieuwenhuizen:
“Backlog list patients have already passed away, waiting for such treatment that has not been forthcoming. Actual, irreparable harm has already occurred, continues to occur and is reasonably apprehended… The provincial health respondents, however, ignore this.”
Today, the DA is launching a Cancer Scandal Tracker to count the days until Lesufi dismisses those accountable for the cancer treatment disaster.
The Tracker can be found on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. It will be updated daily.
Premier Lesufi, you need to act NOW to save the lives of cancer patients!