The Hout Bay Civic Association says it’s not impressed by MEC of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo’s planned to visit Hout Bay Day Hospital today.
They have labelled the visit as a media stunt to spin the closure of the Hout Bay Day Hospital.
The MEC is expected to visit the facility, engage staff and there after engage the community on the streets.
Hout Bay Civic Association Secretary Roscoe Jacobs says they have requested to meet with the MEC following the closure of the hospital earlier this month but that never happened.
“We requested the MEC to come to Hout Bay for a public meeting following the closure of the hospital. The MEC didn’t come. There was no response to our letter. Now, she’s coming during the day when people are at work. Who is she going to engage with?”
Mr Jacobs also questioned the venue of today’s meeting.
“For the MEC it’s about publicity instead of wanting to engage the community on their issues. Why is the meeting on the street? If she was going to Constantia or another affluent area it wouldn’t be on the street. She would have organised a hall. So this makes us question her intention,” said Mr Jacobs.
However, he said they will be attending the meeting with the MEC later this morning.
“We want to request a proper meeting for the community because today’s meeting will exclude a lot of people. People are at work. Others won’t be comfortable to raise issues on the the street.”
The meeting is scheduled for 11:30am.