Private hospitals hit out at govt

Cape Town - Private hospitals reacted sharply to allegations by Blade Nzimande, higher education minister, that they turn down patients without medical cover for their fees.

The sector said it spent millions on such patients every year, as obliged to by law, but they received no recognition for doing so.

In Khayelitsha earlier this month Nzimande claimed that private hospitals were showing dying patients the door when it became evident that they did not have the money or insurance to meet hospital expenses.

Dr Nkaki Matlala, chairperson of the Hospital Association of South Africa (Hasa), said private hospitals were obliged by a strong ethical code and in terms of legislation to supply critical patients with emergency treatment, irrespective of their ability to pay.

"This service includes everything from hospital transport and life-saving surgery to admission to critical-care units, depending on the patient's condition."

In terms of the National Health Act, private hospitals have to stabilise critical patients before they can transfer them to state hospitals for further treatment.

Matlala said this type of treatment was generally done at the hospital's expense and they are usually not reimbursed by government.

The private-hospital sector had programmes to provide the poor with healthcare, such as free cataract treatment and cochlear implants, as well as prostrate surgery and mastectomies, he said. The programme also included treatment for children, such as paediatric cardiac surgery and the repairing of harelips and problems of the palate.

- Sake24.com

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