R1.7 million was spent on the lavish opening of the Jabulani Hospital in Soweto today.
 
3000 guests were invited in a shameless election ploy with ANC members in party regalia singing and dancing.
 
This is despite the hospital being five years late and more than double the original budget.
 
I welcome the opening of this 300-bed hospital as it is desperately needed to take the pressure off the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
 
The problem is that staff are being taken from Bara hospital to staff the hospital, and there are indications that 300 beds will be closed at Bara.
 
Both hospitals need to be fully staffed and run at capacity to cater for the health needs of Soweto.
 
The money spent on food and drinks at a lavish opening is wasteful and better spent on meeting the health needs of people in Gauteng.