TSOLO: The protest action at ST LUCY'S HOSPITAL at Tsolo in the Eastern Cape continues.
The community of ST CUTHBERT'S gave the support to the fire brand traditional leader Nkosi Khabilanga Mbabama, who is completely against the closure of St Lucy's which is allocated at the area.
The angry protesters blocked the entrance at St Lucy's, they stoped the removal process of the equipment transported to the newly build Dr Malizo Mpehle Hospital about 15 km from St Lucy's.
According to Nkosi Mbabama '' the hospital management transporting the hospital equipment to Dr Mpehle Hospital using their own vehicles, which is an ellegal move on state owned resources''
Mbabama continued that ''we are going to fight for the survival of this hospital, we are fighting for what belongs to us. This hospital belong to kwisizwe sama Mpondomise and nothing will change'' said Mbabama.
The community secretary Bukiwe Sicholo, highlighted that the patients at St Lucy's had, had removed to Dr Malizo Mpehle hospital without the consultation and the views of the community.
At St Lucy's the Martenity and Theatre departments are closed and they sent to operate at Dr Malizo Mpehle.
''The hospital board at St Lucy's undermine the traditional leaders. The MEC of Health Phumulo Masualle also shows no respect to us as the traditional leaders in our nation''
''His (MEC) statement about opening the new hospital, without the co-operation, consaltation and blessing with the traditional leaders shows such disrespect'' said Mbabama.
Esisisizwe sama Mpondomise nayiphina into eyenzekayo kufuneka iiNkosi zaziswe ngendlela efanelekileyo kwisizwe sazo. Conclude Mbabama.
On sunday afternoon, at Nkosi Mbabama place, community got a visit from the officials from the department of health that include Mr Bezana - district, Mr Xhamlashe Mthatha complex and Mr Mthuzula - province to discuss about this matter.
This move by the hospital and the department came as the contradiction after the statement made by MEC Phumulo Masualle last week, as he promised that the St Lucy's Hospital will function in full course.
Olwethu Z. Mhaga.
