[ad_1]
Gauteng MEC for Health Dr. Bandile Masuku.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images via Getty Images
- Gauteng Health MEC’s Dr. Bandile Masuku has threatened to take action against Gauteng DA Jack Bloom MPL.
- Masuku wants Bloom to retract her media statement that under Masuku’s leadership, 500,000 rand was spent per patient admitted to the Nasrec field hospital.
- Bloom claimed that only 700 patients were admitted to the 1,500 facility.
The beleaguered Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has threatened to take action against Gauteng DA MPL Jack Bloom.
Masuku has asked Bloom to retract her media statement that under Masuku’s leadership, R500,000 was spent per patient admitted to the Nasrec field hospital.
Bloom said only 700 patients were admitted to the 1,500-capacity facility.
“The Nasrec field hospital was commissioned on June 15 this year and has so far admitted 604 patients for quarantine and isolation, and 96 patients for intermediate care, including oxygen. The total bed capacity is 1500 But as of August 28 there were only 25 patients. 2020, “he said.
“The installation has cost around R350 million in total, which means that R500,000 has been spent on each patient. This is a colossal waste of money caused by poor judgment and probable corruption, as the people connected benefited of the big contracts.
“The quarantined patients could easily have been housed in hotels, and private hospitals could have been paid to treat the 96 patients requiring intermediate care.”
Bloom said that at some point, doctors had to appeal for oxygen to be donated to help patients.
“The runaway costs of the Nasrec facility are yet another reason why Masuku, who is suspended, should be fired, in addition to his inability to prevent massive corruption in PPE contracts,” said Bloom.
READ ALSO | ANC Gauteng to Ramaphosa: their spokesperson cannot return to work yet
Masuku’s attorney, Mojalefa Motalane, said that Bloom’s statement was factually inaccurate, aimed to mislead the general public, and has tarnished Masuku’s image and professional reputation.
“This constitutes a serious violation of your constitutional rights to human dignity. The press release lacks context and is insensitive to the critical task of saving the lives of the people of Gauteng under the Covid-19 Response Plan.
“The Covid-19 response plan is based on scientific models and projections. This means it is an adjustable risk strategy that follows infection rate trends. Bloom’s and DA’s approach is quite dangerous, misguided, and reckless. It is an Trying to earn cheap political points at the expense of people’s lives.
“For our client, at the time of purchasing the Nasrec facility, the costs per patient were estimated at R770 (excluding VAT) and the facility is currently adjusted to 503 beds in terms of capacity. The firm belief from our client that a cautious approach should be maintained because the country could still experience a second wave of infections, “Motalane said.
Motalane criticized Bloom for her statement that the facility was racking up ‘leakage costs’, saying she objected to the fact that the facility had reduced bed capacity.
“In the event that Bloom does not retract her ‘false’ statement within 24 hours, we will not hesitate to take the necessary action,” warned Motalane.
