Provincial Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene, recently visited one of the Health facilities in Phokwane Local Municipality to convene a follow-up meeting with the Tse Di Tshetlha community safety structure as part of the continued efforts to strengthen the healthcare service delivery. 

According to Maruping, the health facility in the Phokwane Municipality in Pampierstad had challenges of overtime payments for staff, the clinic not operating 24 hours a day, and a lack of security at the facility. Lekwene outlined the plan of action that the department presented at the meeting.

“Most of the nurses have been paid, and some will be paid their outstanding monies. Security has been boosted, but we're also working around the opening of the facility because it’s the CHC - a CHC must be open 24/7,” he adds.

Lekwene further says that the department expects trauma cases to increase during the festive season. However, the department has prepared in advance for such challenges. The issue of staff shortage is one of the issues that the department took time to address at the facility. 

According to Lekwene, the Department of Health has replaced two of the three doctors who left the facility and they are still looking for the third doctor that will join the facility.

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