Specialists have been unable to help more than 100 patients in the past month as the only operational cath lab in the province – where both adults and children with heart problems are assisted – has been declared broken beyond repair.
The facility at Port Elizabeth’s Provincial Hospital used to receive patients from all over the country as the only stateemployed specialist, Dr Adele Greyling, who treats heart rhythm disturbances in children, is based in the city.
Everybody is being turned away.
Apart from asking where the cath lab was situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape department of health spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha did not respond to requests for comment or to explain what contingency plans were in place to assist patients.
The department was given more than a week to answer questions.
The cath lab is used to perform non-invasive procedures to fit patients with stents to open blocked arteries, fix arteries, fix congenital heart defects and do some vascular procedures.
The use of the lab to fix certain congenital defects in babies’ hearts was pioneered by the dean of the Nelson Mandela University’s medical school, Dr Lungile Pepeta.
There is a new cath lab in Mthatha, but it has no staff.
Port Elizabeth-trained paediatric cardiologist Dr Zongezile Makrexeni has been appointed head of this cath lab from January 2019.
Hospital sources from several departments – within Livingstone Hospital – said the cath lab had broken down in October and technicians said it could not be repaired as there were no parts available.
“They told us it has reached the end of its life,” one source said.
This was confirmed by senior hospital personnel.
As a result, scores of cases had to be cancelled.
In July 2017, Livingstone Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela said a new multimillionrand cath lab was to be built at that hospital before 2020. This has not happened yet. The construction would entail the national health laboratory service being moved from its premises at Livingstone Hospital.
In an interview at the time, Madonsela said the cath lab was already giving trouble.
Six children and 15 adults are booked weekly for procedures at the cath lab.
Doctors also see two to three children on an outpatient basis.
The waiting list for surgery for children who need congenital heart defects fixed is longer than four years.
Elmarie van der Merwe, whose son Josh is being treated at the state cath lab, said she was devastated by the news.
“I fear that we will have to travel to Cape Town or elsewhere now.
“The cath lab was already over-burdened with cases.
“I am so scared that more children will die.
“I am really nervous for my child,” she said.