Dora Nginza casualty unit forced to close

A SHORTAGE of doctors forced the Dora Nginza Hospital (DNH) casualty unit to shut its doors this week, the second time this year it has done so.

The critically injured and sick were referred to the already over-burdened Livingstone Hospital, with even ambulances being prevented from dropping patients at DNH.

The unit was also shut down in early December because of staff shortages. The Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex, comprising Dora Nginza, Livingstone and the Provincial hospitals, has only five doctors in the casualty units instead of the 31 that are needed.