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North West Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike today made it clear that he does not like the makeshift Brits Hospital and apologised to patients for having to endure the distress of a makeshift hospital while contractors are battling to complete new Brits Hospital.

“I know being in a hospital is stressful in itself and we shouldn’t be adding more and for that I apologise” MEC Masike said during his unannounced visit to the hospital.

The visit follows numerous complaints from staff and patients about overcrowding at the hospital and patients having to share wards despite having different disease profile.

"I am aware of the complexities and many challenges within this hospital. I will use every available means to ease the situation but you need to bear with us while we sort the situation out. It won’t be easy, however, with all working together and supporting one another, a success story can be told” MEC Masike told waiting patients.

He pledged his undivided attention to improve and accelerate access to health services delivery in the area by applying pressure on contractors to handover the 215 bed hospital to the department by end of February 2012. Brits Hospital was demolished in 2008 to make way for new hospital.

The 36 bed makeshift hospital serves a population of over 300 000 and it experiences overcrowding daily and offers no critical services like neonatal, burns and maternity. Patients who are in need of unavailable services are being transferred to nearby health facilities.

Despite overcrowding challenges the hospital managed to survive at least two epidemics like Cholera in March 2009, Measles in December 2009 and recent suspected meningitis outbreak.