Hon Chairperson, I appreciate the Minister's answering my question and thank him for that. The follow-up question is as follows: Some doctors and health professionals have raised their concerns about the chronic lack of consumables, including drugs, syringes, gloves, towels and bed linen, which makes the public hospitals vulnerable to outbreaks of infection.
During our last Provincial Week visit to the Eastern Cape, for example, the depots of Port Elizabeth - Livingstone and the other hospitals - had major health problems, and serious problems of theft. My question is: Has the Department of Health considered a multifaceted approach to infection control by addressing some of the danger areas, such as the conditions in hospital depots and improving procurement processes in hospitals? This would ensure that credible suppliers are appointed and that service providers provide quality and approved products, such as syringes, dressings, equipment and gloves. I thank you, Chairperson.