DA reports acting District Health Manager to MEC

by Isak Fritz MPL – DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Health

Date: 03 August 2017
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement

The DA has reported the acting District Health Manager of Namakwa District Municipality, who is also the CEO of the Springbok Hospital, Mr Daniel Grootboom, to the MEC of Health, Lebogang Motlhaping, as we believe that his blatant political bias towards the ANC is negatively impacting on the provision of quality health care in the province.

On my recent oversight visit to Springbok Hospital, I found health care at the facility to be at an all time low. The facility is experiencing a shortage of staff, it also has a lack of resources such as linen and blankets, as well as declining levels of consumables. Despite this, Grootboom refuses to accept donations and offers of volunteer assistance from businesses and members of the public who are accredited by the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

In essence, Grootboom is flatly refusing to accept any type of aide that does not stem directly from the ANC. This is to the direct detriment of patients, some of whom have been waiting for more than three months for referrals to specialist facilities and others who have had to call on friends and family to bring them bedding after being involved in car accidents.

This is also to the detriment of staff, who are overworked, mentally burnt out and suffering from low morale.

It is clear that Grootboom is playing politics with people’s lives and with the wellbeing of the scant number of health care professionals working in the rural areas of the Northern Cape.

Government consistently calls for a whole-of-society approach, where business and individuals also contribute to the provision of government services. Yet Grootboom has the audacity to deny members of the public improved health services by refusing to accept offers to voluntarily paint and clean hospital wards, as well as donations of chairs and linen.

Aside from his refusal to sign off the acceptance of sponsorships, Grootboom also refuses to reply to emails by concerned citizens such as myself.

I can only assume that Grootboom is more intent on climbing the career ladder than he is about providing good and efficient health services to the sick people of Namaqualand.

I sincerely hope that he will be investigated for turning health care into a political tool.

If Grootboom was a doctor, he would have been chastised for refusing to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath. He should be removed from the health service and consider a career in politics in the ANC instead.

Media Enquiries

Isak Fritz MPL
DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Health
083 395 2737

Shelley De Witt
Researcher
082 847 1387