This is according to the Free State Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, after he told OFM News that about 30 patients were operated on over the weekend through an operations blitz. This was done to address incoming complaints and the high number of surgical backlogs. Mvambi says more trauma cases were piling up on Saturday night, as the Pelonomi Hospital has been struggling with trauma injuries since South Africa moved down to the Covid-19 alert level one.

“We are pleased that the numbers at the orthopaedic unit are not as bad as last week. We have been struggling with that in our healthcare facilities, we see a lot [more] people than anticipated. We just want to appeal to people to take good care of yourselves, so that you lessen the burden on the healthcare system,” he adds.

READ MORE: FS hospital under scrutiny yet again

Last week OFM News reported on photos of patients who were sleeping on hospital floors and in chairs, which were doing the rounds on social media platforms. Mvambi said that the Pelonomi Hospital's medical staff has been working around the clock to ensure that all patients receive medical attention.

In 2018, OFM News reported that five theatres at Pelonomi were stretched to the limit, and of those five, one was dedicated solely for the use by the maternity section. The Head of Nursing at the Hospital, Martha Molefe, at the time reported that the hospital delivers 350 babies on a monthly basis. Mvambi says that the health sector is committed to live up to the provision of good, quality healthcare services to all patients.

READ MORE: Operating theatres a problem at Pelonomi

OFM News