Tabling the department's 2020/21 Adjustment Budget, Tsiu said the hospital is to prepare for the overwhelming demand for hospital beds in the province as scientists predicts a surge of Covid-19 cases. 

Tsiu said although the Health Facilities Revitalisation Management Grant (HFRG) has been reprioritised and reduced with R59 million to cater for the filling of vacant posts, the main focus still lies in establishing the 4 252-bed field hospital at the Bloemfontein Showgrounds, which will be introduced in phases with the first phase of 936 beds to start in August.

Tabling the department's R12.4 billion budget, Tsiu further confirmed that challenges faced at facilities such as at the Psychiatric Hospital, Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital, and Universitas Academic Hospital are amongst those that will receive priority.

She explained that the Pelonomi and Universitas facilities serve communities beyond the boundaries of the Free State, including citizens from Lesotho, and that they are regarded as national assets of the country and not only belonging to the province.

Tsiu said whilst these facilities also receive some funding from the National Tertiary Services Grant (NSTG) and Health Services Professionals Training Grant (HSPTG) in order to enhance service delivery, the province will also invest in their development.

Tertiary and Central Hospital Services have been allocated over R2.8 billion of the Adjustment Budget.

"We will continue to strengthen all hospital services, including the regional hospitals, in order to prepare our health system for the anticipated surge and life beyond the pandemic".

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