The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday questioned the Gauteng health department’s rejection of 22 out of 50 applications for new private hospitals and clinics in the past seven years.
Jack Bloom, the party’s Gauteng health spokesperson, said it was ”crazy” to turn down so many proposals by the private health sector.
”[They] would have provided 2 192 extra beds and 68 operating theatres in Gauteng.”
The DA was reacting after a written reply by Gauteng minister of health Brian Hlongwa to questions by Bloom.
”It restricts competition that is necessary to bring down high private medical costs. What justification is there for interfering so blatantly in the healthcare market?” said Bloom.
Some of the applications turned down were a planned 350-bed hospital at Uncle Charlie’s, three applications for a 120-bed hospital at Southgate and a 200-bed hospital at Soccer City.
An oncology centre at Rosebank, a maternity clinic in Johannesburg inner city and hospitals in Bronkhorstspruit, Krugersdorp, Waterfall City (Midrand) and Irene were also turned down.
Bloom said consumers were being denied a health facility near where they lived. The government should stop stifling private hospitals and restrict its licensing role to safety standards.
”We should welcome extra investment in private healthcare as this will make it more affordable because of competition and take the strain off our public hospitals,” he said.
The Gauteng department of health was not immediately available for comment. — Sapa