Zuma impressed by Bara

2010-03-16 14:06

Johannesburg – Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital made a good impression on President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday.

"This is a wonderful experience... it leaves one with a good taste... you feel you are in a country that's functioning," he said after touring the Johannesburg hospital with staff.

This impression was a markedly different from one previously left on visitors by Gauteng's largest hospital. Zuma said before one left the hospital feeling "depressed".

He was "very pleased" and "very proud" to see changes in the hospital.

"What has struck me most is the style of management," he said.

Zuma believed this was the reason for the dramatic improvement in the hospital's functioning.

Progress

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said progress at the hospital was just the beginning. More work was needed to get it to where the government wanted it to be.

Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the province was ready to welcome guests for the 2010 World Cup. The provincial health department was enlisting the private sector to help deal with scores of visitors expected in the province.

Earlier Zuma toured the hospital with an entourage of staff and patients. They clamoured to get pictures and touch him.

Zuma came under fire recently from both opposition parties and South African society at large for fathering a child out of wedlock, but the scenes of joy at the hospital showed only a people enamoured by their president.

- SAPA