he IFP supports the planned establishment of the price commission to
regulate private healthcare facilities. Government regulation should be kept
to a minimum, though it is clear that the levels of service at state
hospitals are unacceptable and need a complete overhaul" said Mrs Hilda
Msweli, IFP Spokesperson for Health in Parliament.
Mrs Msweli further added that " The IFP is fully behind the establishment of
the Office of the Health Standards Compliance that will monitor the hospital
and other healthcare facilities as announced by the Minister of Department
of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
" The independent office of the Health Standards Compliance is an important
step forward in dealing with poor infection control, poor hygiene levels and
dilapidated infrastructure at our state hospitals. There are just too many
complaints about the appalling levels of service and the working conditions
at hospitals " said Mrs Msweli.
" The IFP believes that there is an urgent need to train more doctors and
nurses to avoid the shortage of medical staff our hospitals are
experiencing and there is a need to ensure that every hospital is providing
healthy food to patients. The IFP believes that the Minister should focus on
getting things right at public facilities first", Mrs Msweli concluded.