Deputy Speaker, the DA finds it unacceptable that the Department of Health has not complied with the National Health Act, which requires that the Office of Standards Compliance should be established to ensure that all hospitals are inspected and meet minimum standards.
The Office of Standards Compliance is severely undercapacitated. It is our view that the needless and tragic deaths of six babies at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, and reportedly of more than 180 babies - people, human beings - at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, may have been avoided had this office been functioning properly. The DA calls for a full, independent investigation into these incidents. Furthermore, the Department of Health should admit responsibility, offer compensation to the grief-stricken families and provide help with the funeral costs. The DA wants the assurance from the Minister of Health - he's not here - that all possible efforts are being made to prevent this from happening again.
The DA has made calls over the past seven years for the ANC government to act in order to curb a looming disaster in the public health sector. Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's public apology, albeit very sincere, is of little consolation to the families of the babies - 180 human beings - who died as a result of his department's failure to properly carry out its duties. Thank you. [Applause.]