The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the facility, Jacoline Seboko, explains further the role of appointing a company contracted for the provision of food at the facility, lies squarely with the provincial health department and not hospital management. While making this distinction, she stresses that the ball is rolling to remedy the situation.

It is Advocate and Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Bokankatla Malatji, who told OFM News in an interview following his visit to the province last week, that the short-staffed hospital, which according to 2018 figures has patients who occupy 760 of the 877 beds available at the facility, now has to buy food and prepare it for patients using the little support staff available. Malatji says this is less than desirable, considering the sheer number of patients.

The hospital did have a caterer previously, but this contract between the parties lapsed and the health department is said to have not renewed it.

Seboko also commented on other issues that were raised with the SAHRC Commissioner, specifically the issue of laundry. She says the facility outsources laundry services presently. This as Malatji reports he was taken to the laundry section of the hospital during his visit, where they found dirty laundry that was not washed due to broken washing machines. According to Seboko the maintenance of the washing machines lies squarely with the unnamed service provider.

Then there is the issue of a staff shortage at the mental health hospital, something which has long been a bone of contention between staff and the health department/management.

OFM News