EASTERN CAPE – The Eastern Cape Department of Health has disputed claims that pregnant women and new mothers are being forced to sleep or give birth on hospital floors because of a shortage of beds.
MEC spokesperson for Health, Camagwini Mavovana, said the Department was not aware of a systemic shortage of hospital beds across the provincial health system and said there was no departmental policy requiring pregnant women to bring their own mattresses to hospital.
“Any suggestion that this is how maternity services are presently being provided in the province is misleading and does not reflect the current position. In fact, substantial investment has been made specifically to strengthen hospital bed and mattress availability,” said Mavovana.
During the 2024/25 financial year, the Department procured 484 hospital beds and 11,256 mattresses at a cost of approximately R45.9 million.
Department rejects claims of bed shortage
In 2025/26, a further 1,290 hospital beds and 1,245 mattresses were procured through National Treasury Transversal Contracts.
Mavovana said procurement records for 2025/26 reflected expenditure of approximately R24.97 million on 966 beds, 324 medical beds, 1,235 mattresses and 10 medical mattresses.
“These interventions form part of broader investments made to strengthen the provincial health system. The 2025/26 Eastern Cape Adjusted Estimates provided R138.915 million specifically for hospital beds, linen and mattresses, alongside funding for additional health professionals,” she said.
“The Department has simultaneously strengthened human resources. Between April 2025 and January 2026 alone, 534 doctors and 993 nurses were appointed across provincial health facilities.”
Eastern Cape hospitals received beds
She added that the province had recorded a significant reduction in maternal mortality between 2024 and 2025, which she said was testament to investments in skills and resources for maternal and child health services.
“The Department is concerned that findings contained in the Commission for Gender Equality’s (CGE) report titled The State of Maternity and Neonatal Health Care in the Eastern Cape Province (2023/2024) are now being presented in a manner that creates the impression that they describe conditions prevailing in hospitals in October 2026.
“The CGE investigation relates to the 2023/24 period, with its principal oversight visits conducted in October and November 2023. The Department is particularly concerned about the escalation of historical overcrowding findings into allegations that women are currently being told to bring their own mattresses or face giving birth on hospital floors.”
Department highlights maternal mortality decline
Mavovana said anyone alleging that this was currently happening at an Eastern Cape public health facility should identify the facility, date and circumstances so that the allegation could immediately be investigated.
“Serious allegations concerning the dignity and safety of mothers and babies should be supported by verifiable contemporary evidence rather than being inferred from historical reports.”
According to Mavovana, suggestions of a worsening or “growing” crisis also failed to acknowledge measurable improvements in maternal health outcomes.
The Department remains committed to providing safe, dignified and quality maternity and neonatal healthcare and will continue addressing challenges wherever they arise.
“Historical challenges must not be repackaged as present-day facts. The people of the Eastern Cape deserve an accurate account of the health system as it exists today.”
ALSO READ: Eastern Cape ambulance fleet gets boost amid ageing fleet, breakdowns
