EASTERN Cape health MEC Phumulo Masualle has applauded the renovations at Holy CrossHospital in Flagstaff.

His surprise visit to the hospital last Thursday was a follow-up meant to check on progress to problems that he discovered during his visit in August.

During his that visit Masualle was shocked by problems such as a shortage and non-payment of doctors and lack of X-ray equipment.

He was also shocked to learn that the contractors hired to renovate the hospital had disappeared before completing the job.

A total of R105million allocated to renovate the hospital had subsequently swelled to R205million.

Initially, the hospital had to make do with only two doctors but the number has now increased to nine. Two more therapists and a number of nurses have joined the hospital.

"Since my visit in August, a lot of work has been done here," said Masualle.

He applauded Amangcoya, the new contractors for turning the hospital around in four months.

"We will make means to recover the lost money due to the failure of the company that we appointed before," Masualle said.

He promised to blacklist the company to prevent it from getting any tenders from the government.

Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said this was in line with the department's plan of cracking the whip on "deadwood".

"We are still going to visit more hospitals and if we find no improvement, disciplinary action will be taken against the management.

"We have already done that. For instance, hospital managers were suspended at Bisho and Madwalweni (Elliotdale) hospitals," Kupelo said.