According to the Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s written reply to a question by the EFF’s Sophie Thembekwayo, the province is supposed to finish the building of seven new facilities this year, while the North West is expected to complete six facilities and no new facilities are expected in the Free State. 

The seven new health facilities expected to be completed this year in the Northern Cape include five clinics in four different districts, one Community Health Centre and the Kimberley Psychiatric Hospital. This hospital has, however, drew much controversy for having been under construction for over a decade with unaccounted millions. It remains to be a white elephant whilst communities continue to bear the brunt of a lack of service delivery.

Members of the National Council of Provinces have on numerous occasions urged both this department and Public Works to fast-track developments at this hospital. Following Premier Sylvia Lucas’ State of the Province Address (SOPA) earlier this year, where she announced that the hospital would be completed by June, questions are mounting as to when this will materialise and when the hospital would be in full operation.

OFM News