Addressing managers from coastal hospitals in Durban today, the.Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the public health sector needs a complete overhaul. Motsoaledi lashed out at staff members at hospitals who fail to perform their duties, warning them that there will be consequences if they don't give quality healthcare.

He says from January next year, a special team will assess hospital structures and see if managers are up to their jobs, and a second permanent team will ensure quality healthcare is provided. Motsoaledi says the teams are going to make unannounced visit at hospitals to check cleanliness, infection control, queues and also to check the availability of medicine, safety and security in the hospitals.

Motsoaledi said the focus in the future of the health sector will be education with nurses starting training in hospitals rather than at tertiary institutions. Primary healthcare will also be a priority in order to relieve pressure on hospitals.