Reports have emerged of patients being turned away from the MUCPP health centre in Bloemfontein due to a staff shortage.

A security officer has been tasked to tell patients the facility now closes its doors at 16:00, a drastic reduction from its previous operational hours. MUCCP is known to operate Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 21:00.

‘Strain on families and caregivers has intensified’

A patient has recounted a harrowing ordeal that underscores the gravity of the situation. Despite being critically ill and seeking urgent medical attention on Saturday afternoon 27 April they were also informed there were no health workers available to assist them as a result of a shortage of nurses.

OFM News was also informed of how the strain on families and caregivers has intensified as they are forced to shoulder the burden of care for their loved ones without professional support.

Last year, the provincial Health Department employed 3,893 professional nurses, 2,210 assistant nurses, and 1,131 staff nurses. Despite filling more than 19,000 posts to boost service quality in different healthcare facilities across the province last year, the problem seems to persist. The department is yet to comment on OFM News inquiry.

The facility made headlines for all the wrong reasons when two patients died inside the premises in 2021 after nurses refused to assist them. On 31 May 2021, OFM News reported Papi Moshampa passed away inside they yard of the facility after nurses had allegedly instructed security to deny patient access to the healthcare facility.

The nurses later came out to look at Moshampa and told family members that it was a case for mortuary and their shift was over.

In August 2021, Moeketsi Mathata (23) also passed away inside MUCPP premises after he was stabbed and nurses at the facility refused to help him.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg