Reverse the referral decision affecting Ga-Rankuwa residents
The Issue
Petition to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and wellness: MEC Faith Mazibuko.
RE: Reverse the Decision to Refer Ga-Rankuwa Residents to Odi District Hospital Instead of Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
We, the residents of Ga-Rankuwa and surrounding communities, respectfully petition the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to urgently reverse the decision directing patients from Ga-Rankuwa to Odi District Hospital instead of Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
For many years, the people of Ga-Rankuwa have relied on Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital as their primary referral hospital.
The hospital is located close to the community, making it accessible to thousands of residents, many of whom are unemployed, elderly, disabled, or dependent on public transport.
The recent referral arrangement has placed an unnecessary financial and physical burden on patients by requiring them to travel to Odi District Hospital, which is farther away and often requires two taxi trips to reach. This decision has serious consequences for vulnerable members of our community.
Instead of improving access to healthcare, it has increased transport costs, prolonged travelling times, and delayed access to urgent medical treatment. At a time when many households are struggling financially, every additional transport expense places further pressure on families already living in poverty.
One recent example illustrates the impact of this policy. A Ga-Rankuwa resident living only a few minutes from Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital became seriously ill on a Saturday and sought treatment at Phedisong 6 Clinic. Despite living close to Dr. George Mukhari, the patient was referred to Odi District Hospital.
After arriving at approximately 07:00, the patient remained in the queue until around 17:00 without seeing a doctor. When the patient, who was experiencing severe pain, asked how much longer the wait would be, a nurse reportedly explained that the hospital was still attending to patients who had been referred on the previous Friday.
The patient was ultimately advised to return on Monday without receiving the required medical attention that day.
This experience raises important questions about the effectiveness of the current referral system. If the intention was to reduce pressure on Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital and improve patient care, then patients should be receiving timely treatment at the alternative facility. When patients are redirected only to face excessive waiting times and delays in receiving medical care, the policy fails to achieve its intended purpose and undermines public confidence in the healthcare system.
The residents of Ga-Rankuwa deserve a healthcare system that is accessible, efficient, and responsive to their needs. Public healthcare policies should place patients first by considering proximity, affordability, quality of care, and the dignity of every person seeking medical assistance.
We therefore call upon the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and wellnes to:
- Immediately review and reverse the referral policy directing Ga-Rankuwa residents to Odi District Hospital.
- Restore Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital as the primary referral hospital for patients residing in Ga-Rankuwa.
- Engage with community representatives before implementing healthcare decisions that significantly affect local residents.
- Conduct a public assessment of the impact of the current referral system on patient waiting times, transport costs, and access to quality healthcare. Healthcare is a constitutional right, not a privilege. The people of Ga-Rankuwa deserve healthcare services that are accessible, affordable, timely, and delivered with dignity and respect. We urge the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to act without delay in the best interests of the community.
By signing this petition, you are supporting a cause that directly impacts hundreds of families who require accessible and adequate healthcare services.
Let's urge our local health authorities to reflect on the broader consequences of their administrative decisions and act in favour of community health interests.
Together, let's make sure healthcare remains a right, not a burden, for the people of Ga-Rankuwa.
Sign this petition to reverse the referral decision and support our community’s health today!
Mr. Malusi Setsiba - Coordinator: African People's Convention (APC-Ga-Rankuwa).
31
The Issue
Petition to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and wellness: MEC Faith Mazibuko.
RE: Reverse the Decision to Refer Ga-Rankuwa Residents to Odi District Hospital Instead of Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
We, the residents of Ga-Rankuwa and surrounding communities, respectfully petition the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to urgently reverse the decision directing patients from Ga-Rankuwa to Odi District Hospital instead of Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
For many years, the people of Ga-Rankuwa have relied on Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital as their primary referral hospital.
The hospital is located close to the community, making it accessible to thousands of residents, many of whom are unemployed, elderly, disabled, or dependent on public transport.
The recent referral arrangement has placed an unnecessary financial and physical burden on patients by requiring them to travel to Odi District Hospital, which is farther away and often requires two taxi trips to reach. This decision has serious consequences for vulnerable members of our community.
Instead of improving access to healthcare, it has increased transport costs, prolonged travelling times, and delayed access to urgent medical treatment. At a time when many households are struggling financially, every additional transport expense places further pressure on families already living in poverty.
One recent example illustrates the impact of this policy. A Ga-Rankuwa resident living only a few minutes from Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital became seriously ill on a Saturday and sought treatment at Phedisong 6 Clinic. Despite living close to Dr. George Mukhari, the patient was referred to Odi District Hospital.
After arriving at approximately 07:00, the patient remained in the queue until around 17:00 without seeing a doctor. When the patient, who was experiencing severe pain, asked how much longer the wait would be, a nurse reportedly explained that the hospital was still attending to patients who had been referred on the previous Friday.
The patient was ultimately advised to return on Monday without receiving the required medical attention that day.
This experience raises important questions about the effectiveness of the current referral system. If the intention was to reduce pressure on Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital and improve patient care, then patients should be receiving timely treatment at the alternative facility. When patients are redirected only to face excessive waiting times and delays in receiving medical care, the policy fails to achieve its intended purpose and undermines public confidence in the healthcare system.
The residents of Ga-Rankuwa deserve a healthcare system that is accessible, efficient, and responsive to their needs. Public healthcare policies should place patients first by considering proximity, affordability, quality of care, and the dignity of every person seeking medical assistance.
We therefore call upon the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and wellnes to:
- Immediately review and reverse the referral policy directing Ga-Rankuwa residents to Odi District Hospital.
- Restore Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital as the primary referral hospital for patients residing in Ga-Rankuwa.
- Engage with community representatives before implementing healthcare decisions that significantly affect local residents.
- Conduct a public assessment of the impact of the current referral system on patient waiting times, transport costs, and access to quality healthcare. Healthcare is a constitutional right, not a privilege. The people of Ga-Rankuwa deserve healthcare services that are accessible, affordable, timely, and delivered with dignity and respect. We urge the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to act without delay in the best interests of the community.
By signing this petition, you are supporting a cause that directly impacts hundreds of families who require accessible and adequate healthcare services.
Let's urge our local health authorities to reflect on the broader consequences of their administrative decisions and act in favour of community health interests.
Together, let's make sure healthcare remains a right, not a burden, for the people of Ga-Rankuwa.
Sign this petition to reverse the referral decision and support our community’s health today!
Mr. Malusi Setsiba - Coordinator: African People's Convention (APC-Ga-Rankuwa).
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Petition created on 2 August 2026