The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says it expects Premier David Makhura to outline measures to rescue the ailing Health Department, when he delivers his State of the Province address in the provincial legislature on Monday.
Makhura has admitted that the Life Esidimeni tragedy has exposed deep problems within the province’s public health system.
The Health Department is also in financial trouble, owing service providers about R5 billion.
DA shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom says Makhura should consider a bailout for the Department.
“We need to have very firm steps to rescue the Gauteng department. They’re suffering from the after effects of the Esidimeni disaster, and money will have to be found to pay for the bereaved relatives of the victims of that disaster. Altogether the Gauteng Health Department is the biggest challenge for the Premier of this province, I think he will have to consider a bail-out to rescue the Department.”
