Limpopo Health and Social Development MEC Dr Norman Mabasa saddened by death of four children at George Masebe Hospsital

7 Jan 2013

Limpopo Health and Social Development MEC, Dr Norman Mabasa has expressed shock and sadness at the state of affairs at George Masebe Hospsital and has called for a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of four children and  other service related complaints that have come  through the MEC's hotline (see report).

This follows his unannounced visit to the hospital this morning where he met with management, patients and also met with the bereaved families to send his condolences.

In his fact finding mission the MEC was confronted by wards that were unattended by doctors and patients that alleged they had not been seen by a doctor for a week.

"The situation here is appalling, and goes against everything we stand for as a department, I have called on a commission of inquiry that will report to my office within a week, and any official found to have acted negligently will be dealt with accordingly."

Dr Mabasa has also expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. "These reports have grossly shocked us; we cannot have a public health system that continues to fail the people entirely dependent on it for their health and their lives," MEC concluded.

Statement issued by Limpopo Health and Social Development, January 7 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter