WHILE some political parties have called for the Limpopo health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to be fired, others are singing a different tune.
This after Ramathuba came under fire on Wednesday, 24 August, following a video of her lashing out at an undocumented immigrant trended.
Ramathuba was filmed telling the patient, who is believed to be Zimbabwean, that their President Emmerson Mnangagwa doesn’t give her money to operate on Zimbabweans and that she was therefore doing it on a limited budget.
She said: “You know he doesn’t give me money to operate? You are killing my health system. When you guys are sick, I’m hearing these days you just say, let’s cross the Limpopo River, there’s a MEC there that’s running a charity department.”
While some felt her remarks were misguided, the public felt she was telling the truth and that they are 100% behind her.
The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum also came out to say they are backing her.
The forum’s member, Tino Mambeu, said Ramathuba was not xenophobic and she is only highlighting the truth.
He said the person to be blamed is Mnangagwa for Zimbabweans flocking to local healthcare sites.
“South Africa cannot keep taking more and more of Zimbabwean problems. There has to be an end to all of this. It’s true that we are burdening SA’s health system. It’s beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
He said the MEC provided factual info on South Africans that are catered for in the health system.
“Now there are so many Zimbabweans that are here. Not because they want to, but because of circumstances beyond their control,” he said.
Meanwhile, the national health spokesman, Foster Mohale, said the department doesn’t have full context of the video conversation between the MEC and the patient, which makes it difficult for them to make a conclusion.
“We acknowledge that the public healthcare system is struggling in some areas to meet the healthcare needs of the citizens and reduce the backlogs due to unpredictably high number of undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries seeking healthcare service in the country, other than the asylum seekers and refugees.
“Limpopo is one of the affected provinces and despite these challenges, the healthcare workers must ensure they maintain high moral obligation and standards in their work in line with the Hippocratic Oath, together with the National Health Act and the Refugee Act of South Africa,” he said.
Mohale said the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, is currently out of the country and the acting minister of health, Angie Motshekga, has instructed the department to gather all necessary information which will enable her to provide Phaahla with a full report on his return.
On Twitter, @mlodi_lodder said: “Dr Phophi stands by her actions and we are fully behind her. She’s 100% correct, foreigners have an option to seek healthcare in the home countries. The EFF must shut up, Dr Phophi stays.”
@maluoks_ said: Thank you Dr Ramathuba. A true South African leader.”
