Chairperson, I would agree with you that in a lot of instances, the conditions in our hospitals are not what we want them to be. We have been addressing this matter of looking at the various levels of hospitals and health care in the department and in the health care sector as a whole. We are looking at a number of options, which I don't want to speak about now because obviously they will come forward in the policy framework. But certainly, the question of our health care in those hospitals is of major concern.
Let me say, relating to the Ukhahlamba District Hospital, I have been in contact with MEC Pemmy Majodina, who is the newly appointed MEC in the Eastern Cape. I have been receiving reports from her that she has embarked on a very energetic and ambitious programme to address those issues in Ukhahlamba District. As it was reported in this Parliament before, part of the problem is the quality of water in many of our municipalities which create a bad environment for health. That also contributed to the problems in Ukhahlamba.
In terms of ensuring that the money is spent well, unfortunately the money we are speaking about here is only the money that goes to the national Department of Health and not really the money that flows to provinces. If you have difficulty in understanding this flow of funds, believe me I also have problems with this.
But I do believe that accountability is essential. I spoke to the Auditor- General. I met with him one or two days ago just to round off matters that concerned him around the Health budget. He has also done an extensive audit on what happens to budgets that go to provinces because they don't go through us but go through the National Treasury. What happens to those budgets? He has been doing an analysis for us, and we are looking forward to his report once it comes out. So, coming from a financial background and a background where one wants accountability and budgets to speak to finances, this is definitely going to be an emphasis that we will be looking at in the future. These are promises, but I am certain that we will make improvements on the matters you have raised. [Applause.]