PATIENTS at the Musina Hospital in Limpopo have complained that they were being served food that is not fit for sick people.

PATIENTS at the Musina Hospital in Limpopo have complained that they were being served food that is not fit for sick people.

The patients said they were served small portions because of a serious shortage of food in the institution.

A hospital employee hinted that food was being stolen by staff.

Some patients, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were served two slices of bread and a cup of tea for breakfast.

They claimed they were sometimes not provided with cups to drink the tea.

"The food is not enough to keep us active for the whole day since we only receive the next meal at night," said one female patient.

"We are forced to go through the day on empty stomachs."

According to patients they were served "a little" porridge and fried eggs for supper.

"The food served to us at the hospital is worse than that served to prisoners," said a male patient who did not want to be identified.

Another patient said they had asked the nurses for an explanation but were told to "keep it to yourselves" as management knew about the matter but did nothing to rectify the situation.

Provincial department of health spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the institution's chief executive was not aware of the matter but had promised to investigate.