COPE AKNOWLEGES THE GOVERNMENT’S TAKING OVER OF MATIKWANE HOSPITAL

COPE AKNOWLEGES THE GOVERNMENT’S TAKING OVER OF MATIKWANE HOSPITAL

By Brian kajengo

COPE in Mpumalanga hereby acknowledges the provincial Cabinet’s directive to the health department to take over the Matikwane hospital in Mkhuhlu.

The hospital was built towards the end of the 80’s following an agreement between the then Gazankulu homeland administration and a private company known as Smit Mitchel Organisation which later transferred the agreement to Life Esidimeni (PTY) LTD.

The agreement was valid for 25 years  

As COPE we acknowledge the fact that an operational budget of R155-million was set aside as part of the health department’s plan in anticipation for a smooth take over.

COPE has noticed that other hospitals in the province including Shongwe, Rob Ferreira, Mapulaneng, Tintswalo, Donald Fraser and others had reportedly been having serious problems including lack of water or people having to sleep on the floor.

“We hope all these challenges will be addressed in Matikwane hospital after the takeover and simultaneously call upon the government to address the ongoing problems in the other hospitals,” said COPE provincial chairman, Comrade Sizile Ndlovu

He said COPE was hoping the taking over of Matikwane hospital would benefit the community at large and would not affect employees already working at the hospital as well as that more jobs should be created for the local people.