This, after services in this province came to a halt with medical personnel chased out of healthcare facilities, schools shut down and businesses looted, amongst others, when residents went on the rampage over service delivery issues and called for former premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down. Prior to the entire province being placed under administration by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May last year, the provincial medical depot, the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, and other healthcare facilities’ services were interrupted by protestors and this led to the military’s intervention. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was then deployed to this province until it brought the health system in the entire province to a level of normality.

The Department’s spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, further explains that “the intervention by the South African Military Health Services brought much relief to the health system in the Province. Within a day of their deployment, they were able to deliver 18 babies at the provincial hospital and more than 200 by the time they handed over to the department. They were also able to immediately secure the medical depot on the first day of arrival, ensuring smooth delivery of medication to health facilities”.

The department has today (Friday) held a thanksgiving ceremony to express a sense of gratitude to the SANDF at the Old Bophelong Hospital Sports Grounds in Mahikeng.

The Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into the North West provincial government has also confirmed that they are pleased with the improvements at the Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp, the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, the medical depot, and other healthcare facilities that were affected in the province.

The Chairperson of the committee, Charel de Beer, previously told OFM News they are impressed with the progress that has been made at health facilities and schools in the area after they were immensely affected by protests.

OFM News