DA dashes hopes for reopening of hospital
The DA will submit a question for oral reply to MEC Mahlangu and demand a clear answer
UTTERANCES by Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) spokesperson, Mbangwa Xaba, that the department plans to spend R1 billion on refurbishing the old Kempton Park Hospital, have been rebuffed by the Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, dashing the hopes of thousands of desperate residents in Tembisa and Kempton Park who are in dire need of adequate health care facilities.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for social development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, said in a statement on Tuesday: “According to media reports, Mahlangu said: ‘Currently we have not made the decision as to whether we are going to fix the hospital at R1 billion or if we will be building a new hospital on the same premises. The cost is exorbitant and that’s why we are still weighing our options.'”
“What MEC Mahlangu fails to mention is that for the next three financial years, an amount of R230 million has been budgeted for renovations to this facility. In this financial year alone DID has set aside R1 million for refurbishments.
“It begs the question if this administration has a cohesive plan for this facility, and if it truly strives to improve the quality of services it renders to members of the public. Access to quality health care is a fundamental human right and with each misleading and contradictory statement, that right is being denied.
“The DA will submit a question for oral reply to MEC Mahlangu and demand a clear answer as to the plans for this facility so that residents are no longer left in a state of confusion and despair,” Nt’sekhe said.
EWN reported on Monday evening that infrastructure spokesman, Mbangwa Xaba, said they had a plan to revamp it. “We will bring it back from its heydays where it had about 200 beds to accommodate a total of 350 beds,” EWN reported.
