WHAT VALUE FOR R6.5M SECURITY SPEND AT HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL?

What value are we getting for the R6.5 million that is spent annually for the security contract to guard the Helen Joseph Hospital?

This question needs an urgent answer following the vicious attack on a nurse last week at the hospital (see EWN report).

I have long questioned the soaring costs of hospital security in Gauteng, and I suspect corruption in the award of certain contracts.

There are unexplained anomalies, such as why security at Edenvale Hospital costs R1.4 million a year, while similar size hospitals elsewhere pay three to four times as much.

Last year, former Health MEC Hope Papo said that all security contracts were being extended on a month to month basis pending a decision on a new security model.

The Gauteng Health Department must speed up its security review and take a firm decision that ensures good security at a reasonable price.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, September 3 2014

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