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Health boss calls for morgue probe

THE Eastern Cape's health boss has ordered an immediate probe into the shocking findings revealed by a Daily Dispatch expose and promised sweeping changes in two weeks at all state-run mortuaries.

Provincial health superintendent-general (SG) Dr Siva Pillay yesterday promised an "immediate investigation" would take place into the inadequate qualifications of morgue managers.

The provincial health department has done a complete turn-around one day after the publication of a Dispatch investigation.

Responding to allegations prior to publication on Wednesday, the then-complacent department insisted there was "no crisis".

The province's health portfolio committee will also be visiting various state-run mortuaries where horrendous practices are carried out every day. No specific date has been given for the visits.

During the investigation - in which morgues from Lusikisiki to Port Elizabeth were inspected - corpses were found piled high on floors, dead babies were left to rot in waste buckets, organs were left out in the open and staff were exposed to deadly diseases.

Also breaking their silence for the first time, morgue workers revealed being overburdened by workloads, managerial incompetence and a "disinterested" provincial health department.

In all forensic laboratories visited during the month-long investigation, no managers were on site. The Dispatch team discovered that morgue employees often handled corpses without protective gear prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Asked why the conditions were so alarming, Pillay said before taking the hot seat the department was concentrating on "superficial" changes.

"But I want to make fundamental changes now."

The former parliamentarian also said the department was still dealing with the "sub-standard state" and "poor management levels" the mortuaries were burdened with when they moved from the police's jurisdiction to the provincial health department in 2006.

Pillay admitted yesterday many managers across the province only had a "standard three" education.

He said while the department would not be able to "fire them on the spot", they would be shifted to other jobs "more suited" to their current qualifications.

Pillay said the department's supply-chain process - which deals with procurement and tenders - was also a "problem" that needs "immediate attention".

"There is money for protective clothing and equipment. Money was already allocated but I have to chase people to spend money. It is ridiculous," he revealed.

The provincial department of health recently moved from a disclaimer to a qualified audit.

On the improvement, Pillay said the department was on the mend.

"There is a lot of things that are wrong with the department. Look at the Elizabeth Donkin (Hospital) in Port Elizabeth. I would not even let my dog stay there," he admitted.

ANC chairperson of the health portfolio committee, Mxolisi Dimaza MPL, agreed to make "oversight visits" to various state mortuaries.

The request for the visits "as a matter of urgency" was made by the DA on Wednesday.

"The job of a portfolio committee is to exercise stringent oversight on state-run facilities and if need be, make firm recommendations to the Legislature," said the party's acting provincial health spokesperson, John Cupido.

"This is the first step towards correcting the human rights injustices that have been uncovered and to restoring human dignity back into the Eastern Cape."

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