Dr Trudy Thomas' criticisms are valid – now act on them

THE recent Insight article by Dr Trudy Thomas (Malpractice and neglect failing E Cape's poor and powerless, DD, April 10) and the rather disingenuous response from Sizwe Kupelo needs a response.

Dr Thomas used three examples to demonstrate how simple ailments could have been cured but instead caused irreparable harm to these patients.

None of this harm would have been endured had the Health Department staff responded with care to these patients.

However, instead of Mr Kupelo accepting the advice extended by Dr Thomas, he chooses to dig his head in the sand. There was nothing "destructive" about the advice provided by Dr Thomas. A visit to most of our public healthcare facilities reveals their shocking deterioration.

The lack of care, motivation and the work ethic displayed by some of these health workers is so bad that I lack the words to describe it. Poor people go there simply because they have no other option.

No amount of interventions, including the much-vaunted Jipsa, will reverse this trend given the attitude displayed by our politicians to this problem.

Professionals will simply shun these facilities and continue to go overseas to work in much better-maintained facilities.

There is a need for a complete overhaul of these facilities and their management in order to stop the rot and rebuild them to a functional status so that they can "deliver the basic services" that Mr Kupelo is hankering about.

The toll free number that he so arrogantly provided further gives evidence to the inability of these officials to listen to simple advice. A phone call to this toll free number supported Dr Thomas' argument – nobody answered the phone call that we made over the Easter weekend. – Luzuko Dibi, Beacon Bay

Viva, Dr Budree

I WOULD like to congratulate Dr Budree (EL doctor turns table on blackmailers, DD, April 13) on a job well done. I know the doctor and know that she is a good-hearted professional who has been doing excellent work in our community for years.

This whole investigating issue is part of professional jealousy in the community, but this won't make us, her patients, change our minds about supporting her.

To the investigators who thought they could make a quick buck, think again. Viva Doctor B, viva. – Celest, Buffalo Flats

Roll up your sleeves

LOCAL GOVERNMENT elections have come and gone, but the tension in Fort Beaufort between the ANC and the so-called ANC rebels continues.

After the election, I thought the establishment of the Fort Beaufort Residents' Association would ease this tension, but things are worse than they were before.

The ANC and FBRA should realise they are fighting for the same thing: service delivery.

They should engage the municipality and establish sound working relations between all stakeholders.

Some chaotic scenes have been seen around the Amathole region municipalities. I appeal to the ANC to intervene for the benefit of our poor communities who voted on March 1. – Mzingisi Douw, Fort Beaufort

l NOW THAT we have voted for councillors who promised to do better than their predecessors, they must get to know their communities' needs, and get to work meeting those needs.

Some houses that have been built are far below standard; they are left unplastered and big cement bricks are visible.

Also, the roads in the wards are hazardous, with cars having to dodge holes.

We want to see a change in every ward if you want us to vote for you again. – Tembekile Danster, Fort Beaufort

Inexperienced jobseekers

WE HAVE been told by government leaders to finish our studies in order to find jobs. Some of us have managed to further our studies, but now when we apply for jobs most companies are looking for experience. My question is: where are we going to get experience? Most companies don't even want to try and test you for the job. – Mapule Marepula, Scenery Park

Teaching isiXhosa

PROFESSOR RUSSELL Kaschula's letter (isiXhosa teachers needed, DD, March 27) seems to assume that mother-tongue speakers make better teachers of a second language than do second-language speakers. This assumption is not borne out by the evidence.

Second-language speakers often make better second-language teachers than do mother-tongue speakers.

This is because second-language speakers have experienced first-hand the difficulties inherent in the learning of the second language concerned, and are thus able to anticipate and troubleshoot the difficulties that their learners will experience in their learning of the second language. – Anthony Sparg, Gonubie

Bridge madness

IT IS utterly appalling to read of stones being thrown over bridges onto unsuspecting motorists, causing not only damage to vehicles, but injury and even death.

What is worse, it appears that no significant steps are being taken to deal with the perpetrators of these horrendous criminal acts.

If the SAPS are not going to patrol the bridge concerned, then surely something else needs to be done to stop these hooligans.

No doubt they are school children, who are seeking a little excitement in their otherwise humdrum lives.

They evidently do not read newspapers and so are apparently unaware of the damage they have caused and the grief they have inflicted on their victims.

I suggest that other forms of media, such as TV, be used to get the message across to them.

School principals and church ministers should be informed about what is happening and surely they could use opportunities to address this matter.

Hopefully the perpetrators will come to hear, see and recognise how much pain and suffering and grief they are causing and will cease these monstrous acts. – Laurie Probert, Gonubie

Thank you Eastern Cape

ON BEHALF of the delegation of the Ministerpräsident of Lower Saxony Christian Wulff I would like to express our appreciation of the warm welcome the delegation received and the hospitality of the province.

I can assure you that the German delegation is travelling back with the best memories of the Eastern Cape.

I also want to thank everyone involved in organising the trip; we appreciate your professionalism. – Yorck Wurms, Nahoon