Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba paid a visit to Frere Hospital in East London on Wednesday following a news report of patients lying on the floor and in hospital corridors.
The Daily Dispatch reported that more than 20 patients, some with serious injuries, were lying on the floor, benches and stretchers.
MEC Gomba says she had visited the hospital last month and noticed the overcrowding.
After the visit, she said the Health Department will start recruiting more staff.
She said they will also be renovating a Ward at a cost of around 4-million rand to help alleviate overcrowding, particularly in the orthopaedic section.
Gomba says the second phase will involve full staff for the ward which will cost a further 9-million rand.
She says they looked at some of the challenges at the hospital and realised that patients get dropped off at the hospital by ambulances but are not being transported back home, once they are discharged.
A dedicated person from the ambulance section has now been appointed to monitor this situation so that beds can be opened for those who are discharged.
