AfriForum demands answers about mismanagement at Steve Biko Academic Hospital

7 May 2021 

AfriForum demanded answers from the Gauteng Department of Health today after a life-threatening water crisis at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

The hospital experienced a critical water shortage between 2 and 5 May 2021 due to poor management and poor maintenance of water pipes. This resulted in insufficient drinking water supply, while patients had to use fire hoses to flush toilets. 

“It is shocking that it had taken the Gauteng Department of Health three days to restore water supply to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. This type of mismanagement is part the ANC’s DNA, unfortunately, and is a clear indication of what will happen to the healthcare industry if government carries through its plans to implement National Health Insurance. Government’s lackadaisical attitude made it abundantly clear on many an occasion that it cares very little for the man in the street’s welfare,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Campaigns Manager. 

AfriForum recently learnt that the dates for verbal presentations on National Health Insurance have not yet been confirmed. The civil right organisation will monitor the process carefully, however. 

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 7 May 2021