PSA marketing officer in the Free State, Lynsie Pelser, reveals many of the smaller issues raised - that were captured by OFM News via pics, include cracks in the maternity ward walls and dilapidated ceilings - have been resolved. However, some of the bigger problems nurses complained about last year, have not yet been addressed.

 “Unfortunately the bigger issue like the warm water for all the wards, is still outstanding”. She says the budget was depleted halfway into the 2019/20 financial year and as a result the contractors were not on site. However, in December 2019, funds were availed but the construction companies were on hiatus. In 2020, the department again encountered financial issues that affected construction “and then COVID-19 happened”, concludes Pelser.

Back in 2019, the Free State Health Department declined to comment on the problems that were identified at the hospital by the PSA.

Nurses on strike

Earlier this week the union met with the provincial health department head, David Motau, to outline their nursing personnel’s list of demands and chart a way forward between the respective parties following strike action at the troubled hospital on Monday. The disgruntled health workers alleged the department was not adhering to coronavirus regulations. 

OFM News earlier reported the respective parties managed to come to somewhat of an agreement on all the issues that were brought forward by their members this week. This includes enforcing the isolation of suspected COVID-19 positive employees and keeping them away from work, until their tests results come back. As well as the contentious issue of closing down an entire health facility following a confirmed case.

Should an employee test positive for the coronavirus, only the area where the employees is stationed will be closed off, and then undergo decontamination and cleaning. After this the specific ward or area will be reopened for the use of other employees. 

“What is very clear is that the employer does not have to close down a whole hospital or clinic where the infection is. It is basically the area where the employee is stationed that must be cleaned” explains Pelser.

OFM News