The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has slammed what is describes as false and misleading comments on social media claiming that RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth prioritises foreign nationals over South Africans, notably in the prenatal unit.
According to one post, 10 foreign nationals were “hogging” beds, preventing “scores of pregnant South African women from receiving care”.
The department told IOL it strongly refutes these allegations.
“After these reports, the department conducted an immediate assessment of the situation at the hospital. The findings clearly indicate that of the 40 patients admitted to the antenatal ward, only four were foreign nationals. Furthermore, all patients were accommodated in beds, and there was no shortage of space in the ward at the time of inspection,” it said.
The department added that its facilities serve a varied community, and that foreign nationals occasionally use the services.
“However, we want to clarify that patients are accepted based on medical need rather than nationality. The notion that South Africans are being denied care in favour of foreign nationals is not only untrue but dangerously misleading.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
The rights of foreign nationals in accessing SA healthcare
Foreign patients: a burden on the system, or scapegoats for poor management?