Durban - KwaZulu-Natal’s Health Department will take over Durban’s McCord Hospital and its staff, but until a new deal is struck, the facility will remain closed.
McCord board chairman Paulus Zulu announced in a written statement on Thursday that, at a meeting with the Health Department this week, it became “apparent that the KZN government was prepared to reconsider its previous offer for the hospital”.
The statement said: “As a result, the parties jointly resolved to work together to ensure the future of McCord hospital and a joint technical team has been established to address outstanding issues between the board and the government and to reach an agreement on a takeover of McCord Hospital by the government.”
The signing of an interim management agreement and a service level agreement (to ensure quality care) were a priority, he said.
KZN health spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi confirmed the announcement on Thursday, saying details of the transaction would be spelt out at a press briefing on Friday.
Zola Saphetha of the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union, which planned to march on Zulu’s offices at the University of KZN today, declined to comment, saying he knew nothing of the decision.
McCord staff spokesman Jay Mannie said the announcement was a victory.
The Mercury