Central SA
Maternity ward at National Hospital closed due to low temperatures─── ZENANDE MPAME 16:30 Mon, 14 Jul 2025
The Free State Department of Health is diverting maternity patients to other healthcare facilities in the province due to low temperatures in the maternity ward.
The hospital has activated the diversion of low-risk cases to the Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP), while high-risk maternity cases will be attended to at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital.
The Department of Labour and Employment issued a prohibition notice against the 21-bedded maternity ward at the hospital on Thursday (10/7), and the ward is temporarily out of use.
“The Department is actively addressing the situation through the Infrastructure Unit of the Provincial Department of Health,” said Free State Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi.
“Diversions are in place for patient care to various healthcare facilities in the city, and urgent fixes are underway to get the ward functional again.”
The Infrastructure Unit of the Provincial Department of Health is responsible for constructing new facilities, maintaining existing ones, and ensuring compliance with the Department of Labour.
This is not the first time the Department of Health has been in trouble with the Department of Labour because of health and safety risks.
In June, the Labour Department inspected Universitas Hospital, and a prohibition notice was issued due to escalating ongoing health and safety concerns. It was found that there is no warm water or air conditioning in wards 10A or 10B, both of which are paediatric units.
“The Department of Health is committed to making sure that it adheres to its occupational health and safety plan,” said Mvambi.
Two clinics were closed in Allanridge, the Bophelong Clinic and the Leratong Clinic, because of noncompliance with health and safety regulations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health is still looking for a new office space for staff, as well as a new location for stock, because the place that caught fire was where their equipment was stored.
A fire broke out at the Lejweleputswa district office in May, resulting in the destruction of dental stock and equipment stored at the facility.
“The advice from the acting district manager indicated that we have lost consumables and equipment to the value of more than R800,000, which is close to a million,” said Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi.
