Deputy Speaker, the IFP wishes to express its shock and horror at the recent death of 17 newborn babies in Gauteng, six of whom died at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg from dehydration and diarrhoea.
In the Eastern Cape, we have had confirmation from the health department of the deaths of approximately 200 premature babies between January and May this year at the Nelson Mandela Hospital complex. These are terrible tragedies and ones that could easily have been avoided, had the abovementioned hospitals' standards of hygiene, cleanliness, equipment and general nursing been up to standard.
The majority of South Africans rely on our public hospitals for their health needs. Is this the type of service delivery our people should expect from our public health department? Is this how we look after our people? The hon Minister must give this matter urgent attention. Heads must roll. Hygiene and nursing equipment standards must be investigated in all public hospitals and where they are found wanting, this must be addressed immediately. I thank you.