Defend our Democracy picket: “Fix and Open Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Now”
PARKTOWN – Picketers from Defend Our Democracy demand a set deadline for the hospital to fully reopen.
Defend Our Democracy hosted a picket outside of Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, demanding the Gauteng Health Department fix and open the hospital fully.
A handful of supporters gathered on Jubilee Road in Parktown on February 20. The picket, titled “Fix and Open Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Now” is, according to the group, a call to action to put pressure on the Gauteng Provincial Government to prioritise repairs of the hospital urgently.
One organiser said, “We call on the Gauteng Provincial Government to clamp down on health-related corruption. Furthermore, for those found guilty to wear orange overalls, for health procurement to be made transparent, and for the provincial treasury to allocate sufficient portions of the health budget to repair the hospital.”
This picket comes after a fire ravaged blocks 3 and 4 of the hospital in April last year. Read more here: Charlotte Maxeke prepares for the resumption of services
There have been a number of delays causing the units to not be fully operational. More here: Services still suspended at Charlotte Maxeke
More recently the National Health Department has now taken over the institution’s rehabilitation project. Gauteng government spokesperson Thabo Masebe said on February 17 that one major cause of the delays was that there was no agreement between health and infrastructure development departments.
Ayanda Dakela, chief director for infrastructure and facilities management in the national health department said, so far, they had assessed the building and identified areas that needed urgent attention. He added that the repairs should be complete by 2023.
Read more: Critical state of Charlotte Maxeke Hospital puts undue pressure on other hospitals
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette’s journalist, Naidine Sibanda, was there to capture some action.
"Trauma patients and oncology patients running out of medication are backing up Helen Joseph and Bara hospitals and causing a strain on supplies," Dr Rudo Mathivha. #DefendOurDemocracy #CharlotteMaxekeHospital picket. @RK_Gazette
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) February 20, 2022
Dr Fazel Randera addresses the picket crowd at Charlotte Maxeke. #DefendOurDemocracy would like to express strongly why the hospital should be opened. @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/V8Td6KROLs
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) February 20, 2022
