/ 29 March 2011

SA hospitals losing ambulances to theft

Sa Hospitals Losing Ambulances To Theft

Hospital thieves have walked off with items ranging from ambulances to bed linen, costing South Africa R16-million, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said Tuesday.

Most of the theft has occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, where the bill for missing items at hospitals and clinics comes to more than R13-million, Motsoaledi said in a written reply to a parliamentary question.

North West reported four ambulances, 10 computers, linen and medical equipment stolen.

Motsoaledi said computers and medical equipment were some of the most commonly stolen items. He did not give details on when the thefts occurred in the public health system, which already struggles to cope with demand.

Patients and staff were among those responsible, Motsoaledi said. — AFP