What's in a name

2003-06-08 18:15

Pretoria - The Gauteng health department will not reconsider its decision to rename Ga-Rankuwa hospital after a late doctor and activist, as requested by members of the community and the Democratic Alliance.

Gauteng health department spokesperson said on Sunday that MEC Gwen Ramokgopa was adamant that Dr George Mukhari deserved the honour of having the hospital named after him.

Mukhari was an anti-apartheid activist and gave medical care in very difficult situations during the struggle, Zwane said.

Mukhari has been described across the spectrum as a down-to-earth man and a doctor who put the community first.

However, in a statement on Sunday, the DA accused the MEC of not consulting the community who use the hospital north-west of Pretoria and of proposing the name change because of her friendship with the Mukhari family.

Zwane denied this and said Mukhari's name was chosen simply because of the contribution he made to the community.

The DA's health spokesperson Jack Bloom said the MEC should only name one section of the hospital - such as the paediatrics unit - after Mukhari rather than the entire hospital.

"It is quite wrong to name a major hospital like Ga-Rankuwa after someone who cannot be compared to figures of national stature such as Chris Hani, Yusuf Dadoo, Helen Joseph and Oliver Tambo," said Bloom.

The party suggested Ga-Rankuwa hospital be named after Walter Sisulu who died last month.

Last month, a group of workers protested at the Ga-Rankuwa hospital against the renaming decision.

Zwane said the department would launch the new name at an official function but the date for the ceremony had not yet been set.

- SAPA