Eastern Cape Health denies patients are gasping for air

EAST LONDON - Eastern Cape Health is denying it's choking on an oxygen supply crisis.

It says reports of service providers cutting supply is full of hot air.

The DA says Afrox is threatening to stop supply die to millions in unpaid bills.

But, the department says it has already reduced the debt.

The department, however, says despite its financial constraints, its main priority is to save lives.

It says under its budget allocation of over R28-billion during this financial year, it is trying to find ways of reducing its debt with Afrox.

It is hoped that this will go a long way in ensuring that oxygen in the province is not in short supply.

* eNCA's Ronald Masinda reports.