KZN budget overshadowed by Klebsiella deaths

The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department overspent its budget by over R1 billion last year. It says this was mainly because of strike action. But the tabling of the budget today was overshadowed by more Klebsiella deaths at a provincial hospital.

Two of the four babies who'd been infected with Klebsiella at the Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi, have died. This comes only five months after five babies died from a bacterial outbreak at the same hospital.

"We are now trying to investigate the strain of that Klebsiella whether it's the same strain or not. If it’s the same strain we'll declare it as an outbreak," said Provincial spokesperson Leon Mbangwa.

All subsequent recommendations were implemented, except for rebuilding the neo-natal ward. The R15 billion announced today is already under strain.

The province has the highest number of HIV infections and XDR cases, and most of the infrastructure is failing. "We are now ready as a department to construct the two health facilities - that is Dr LJ Dube and Dr Prixley Kaseme," said Provincial MEC for Health Peggy Nkonyeni.

Last year the strike action cost the department over R800 million after it had to turn to private hospitals, ambulance services, the national defence force staff and nursing agencies.