GOOD Speech by Suzette Little,
GOOD Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
27 March 2024
Note to editor: This is the speech that was delivered by GOOD Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Suzette Little, during today’s debate on Vote 6: Health and Wellness
In the realm of healthcare, the Premier’s failure to address the closure of vital healthcare facilities, such as the GF Jooste Hospital, and prolonged delays in the construction of new facilities, in areas such as Atlantis, underscores this Government’s disregard for the health and wellbeing of the underprivileged.
In 2021, GOOD suggested that the two existing immunisation clinics in Atlantis be transferred to the Provincial Department and for them to be transitioned into fully-fledged healthcare clinics.
However, the task team was informed that this process has not yet fully been implemented and that the budget cuts were a result of the stagnation of progress.
The 60,000 strong community is currently serviced by a 28-bed hospital.
During an oversight visit to Atlantis, residents told GOOD they feel neglected because of the poor service they receive at Wesfleur Hospital, which has been housed in temporary facilities for the past 40 years.
The Western Cape Government promised to build a permanent 150-bed facility with adequate medical staff and equipment to accommodate the influx of patients.
In a statement to the residents in February 2021, DA Council Chair, Nora Grose, when asked about a particular parcel of land for housing, said that the land was unavailable as it had been allocated for a hospital. And she went even further and I quote:
“It’s now a reality”.
Yet, a letter from your Department late last year to the Atlantis Committee stated that a site still had to be identified.
The fact that the DA-led provincial government has failed to build a permanent hospital for the people of Atlantis is a clear indication of their priorities in the province.
The DA administration owes the community of Atlantis one of the most basic services – a decent, reliable, professional, and centralised medical center.
The DA-led Western Cape Government expects 3067 beds to provide care for over 291,000 patients needing emergency care and other services and over 711,000 emergency cases.
This leads to increased service pressures with patients being discharged prematurely and patients sleeping on the floor.
Yesterday, the MEC for Health stated that the system has failed. I would like to remind the MEC, this system has been in the hands of her party to manage for the last 15 years and so its failure, is theirs.
Media Enquiries:
Carlos Mesquita, GOOD Spokesperson: Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 071 341 3378
Email: carlosm@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za