As a result of the Gauteng Department of Health’s poor financial management, hundreds of patients of the Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp have not been able to undergo much-needed operations.
Patients have been waiting for operations for months, but the Hospital’s theatre division was closed because the Department failed to pay contractors.
Theatres had to be temporarily closed because the supplier that installed an upgraded air-conditioning unit at the Hospital was never paid.
The supplier locked the air-conditioning unit electronically, which means no one can regulate it and, consequently, theatres cannot be used.
Operations are now being performed at the Yusuf Dadoo Hospital, Carletonville’s District Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital.
Using the theatres of these three hospitals is, however, not sustainable seeing as the hospitals themselves need the theatres.
As a result, patients lie in hospital awaiting operations for months.
The problem arose in November last year when the air-conditioning unit had to be urgently upgraded. It was followed by the non-payment problem.
Last year, Gauteng undertook to pay approved service providers within a month – but it is failing to do so.
The Department’s failure to pay proves that the ANC government does not keep its word.
It is time to get rid of the ANC, and to restore and rebuild the country and its healthcare system.