EMPTY KEMPTON PARK HOSPITAL VANDALISED

Vandals have struck at the empty Kempton Park hospital, painting the letters TAPZ on rooftop buildings.

This happened late last year and marks a further deterioration of this hospital since it was closed 14 years ago by the Gauteng Health Department.

It is an ongoing scandal that the hospital still stands empty, costing about R1 million a year for security and maintenance.

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced in May 2009 that it would be reopened, but there is little sign that this will happen soon.

According to the Gauteng Health Department, a feasibility study has been completed, and it is recommended that it be renovated and become a 210 bed Folateng Hospital for private patients only.

This would cost about R350 million, but I do not see where the money will come from as the department faces a huge deficit.

There is a serious need in the area for more hospital beds for patients who cannot afford private care as the neighbouring Tembisa and Edenvale hospitals are both overcrowded.

Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe should rather look at a mixed use for this hospital that involves the local community and the private health sector.

There are lots of buildings on this site that can be used by local health and education NGOs.

Otherwise it is just a wasting asset that will just deteriorate further.

Perhaps the vandals meant TAPZ to stand for "The Absent Patient Zone"?

Statement by Jack Bloom, MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, January 10 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter