The IFP urges the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to let patients
and staff use Bertha Gxowa hospital in Germiston on the East Rand. This
hospital is not used even though it was opened last year in November. 300
beds and 4 operating theatres are still empty.

Patients are still sent to the old Germiston Hospital building, which is
falling apart and is a danger to patients. They fight each other for the use
of toilets, as these are limited in number.

"How are patients expected to recover in such appalling conditions?" asked
IFP spokesperson on Health, Hon Hilda Msweli MP. "It is astonishing that
they remain subjected to these conditions even though there is a revamped
side of the hospital. Under such unhygienic conditions, patients can easily
acquire additional illnesses, which will deteriorate their health even more.
This can all be prevented by letting Bertha Gxowa hospital be used."

The Bertha Gxowa hospital has a Home Affairs' birth registration office, a
lounge and a mortuary which are also not being utilized. "What is the point
of having all this if it is not used? The Minister of Health must
investigate why this hospital is still not being used nine months after its
opening," said Msweli.

The IFP affirms the rights of patients and staff to use Bertha Gxowa
Hospital. Government must stop this habit of building facilities, then
leaving them unoccupied and not allowing the public to utilize them. This
simply leads to vandalism of public facilities.

The IFP calls for Bertha Gxowa Hospital to be used immediately.