South African Hospital Construction Delayed by World Cup Costs

A hospital building programme in South Africa has been put back, to help pay for the football World Cup which the country is hosting in 2010.

Two hospitals in the remote Northern Cape have been told their buildings will be delayed because of cuts in government spending.

The rising cost to South Africa of hosting the World Cup is beginning to take its toll on government spending.

A new 200-bed hospital in De Aar is to be delayed - so is another in Upington.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Cape health department, Shelley Fielding, said money had been diverted to prepare for 2010.