The Mercury

The reality is that more than eighty percent of South Africans cannot afford private health care and therefore it is incumbent that the state provide basic health care.

It was indeed disturbing to learn in an article some weeks ago that newborn babies are sometimes kept to rest in cardboard boxes at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital – the world's biggest hospital. Latest report reads, “Minister Blames shortages” in the twist of babies dying at government hospitals in a deadly klebsiella outbreak. The Minister blames this to the lack of resources – well then the government must do something and dare not wait for another five babies to die before deciding to do something. 

It is really time to reflect and the Department of Health clearly needs to take some action. In general, government hospitals by and large require an upgrade of facilities and equipment. Housing and health care should be top priorities: needless to say that to some extent the government has failed to deliver.

Ebrahim