This is according to the DA provincial leader, Patricia Kopane, following her unannounced oversight inspections at the National Hospital in Bloemfontein and at the Albert Nzula District Hospital in Trompsburg. 

It was discovered that both these hospitals are plagued by high vacancy rates, shortage of resources as well as vital medication. Coupled with aged infrastructure, the National Hospital currently battles with the provision of ARVs and other critical medication. 

Doctors at this hospital have expressed concerns over the lack of medical supplies from the Free State Medical Depot and outdated equipment in theater rooms. Kopane says it is worrisome that conditions at public facilities across the province do not get improved and patients continue to bear the brunt. 

She has alluded that the hospital in Trompsburg remains under-resourced, without a CEO, Head of Nurses and other critical positions remains vacant, despite the millions that were spent on its construction. This hospital has in the past year made headlines for being a white elephant with millions unaccounted for. 

Kopane told OFM News that they are going to escalate health challenges faced in the province to parliament and request for the office of Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's intervention.

The department's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, however, said the shortage of medication, personnel and resources at public hospitals in the Free State are being attended to.

He said the shortage of medication at many public healthcare facilities is due to international suppliers’ failure to deliver medication on time. He added that there is a revitalisation programme that is being rolled out at the National Hospital and they are hopeful the refurbishments at the hospital will be completed soon.

Mvambi confirmed that the hospital  serves the needs of people in the outlying areas hence there is an influx of patients to the hospital and nurses find themselves attending to a larger number of patients.

He adds that the filling of vacancies at the two hospital is a matter that is currently under discussion within the department, and that more positions are going to be advertised.

“We are looking into it to make sure that the staffing norms are up to international standards in terms of the healthcare needs of the local populations. We are certain that we will from time to time win this war,” he said.

Mvambi says the health of patients in the province is being prioritised and the department is dealing with many of its challenges.

OFM News