The DA says telephone lines at some Gauteng hospitals are down because the provincial health department hasn't paid its bills.
According to DA spokesperson Jack Bloom the situation is a "communication crisis". He added that patients and their relatives could not get through to hospitals for appointments, enquiries or updates.
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kopanong Provincial Hospital, and Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital are among the affected hospitals.