PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS OVER DELAYED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AT GENERAL DE LA REY HOSPITAL

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development has expressed serious concern over prolonged delays in infrastructure projects and persistent operational challenges at General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg. The Committee, led by Chairperson Hon. Karabo Tebogo Magagane, accompanied by Hon. Jeanette Komane and Hon. Lerato Tsholo, conducted an oversight visit to the hospital on Wednesday, 07 October 2026, to assess progress in addressing challenges previously identified at the facility.

During the engagement, the Committee questioned the Department of Health over outstanding refurbishment projects, emergency repairs and contractor disputes that continue to delay improvements to the hospital. Members expressed dissatisfaction that infrastructure work classified as urgent remained incomplete despite the passage of considerable time. The Committee attributed some of these challenges to weaknesses in contract management and called for greater accountability in the implementation of infrastructure projects. The Committee also raised concerns about the hospital’s theatre services, noting that only one theatre was operational, potentially affecting the facility’s capacity to provide essential surgical services.

Other concerns included ageing infrastructure, inadequate perimeter fencing, maintenance challenges and shortages of healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists and nursing personnel. Departmental officials acknowledged these challenges and outlined interventions relating to infrastructure maintenance, staffing and the management of outstanding projects. They further indicated that measures were being pursued to address pharmacy personnel shortages and improve the hospital’s operational capacity. The Committee also sought clarity on patient accommodation, bed capacity and the redistribution of healthcare services following changes affecting neighbouring facilities, emphasising the importance of aligning resources and budgets with service delivery demands.

While acknowledging improvements in patient registration and radiology services, the Committee expressed concern that progress in other critical areas remained slow. Members emphasised that public healthcare institutions must be adequately maintained, properly equipped and fully functional to meet the healthcare needs of communities. The Committee called on the Department to strengthen project oversight, improve contract management and accelerate outstanding interventions to ensure that infrastructure challenges do not continue compromising healthcare delivery.