The hospital has been making news headlines as it showcased problems faced by health institutions as the financial woes of the Free State Health Department continued over several financial years. 

A damning report by the Public Service Commission that was tabled in parliament last year found a shortage of medication, medical staff and a serious backlog in maintenance at Pelonomi Hospital. The provincial department has been under administration for more than two years. 

OFM News tracked down the family of the patient in the latest video and photos, 59-year-old Veronica Nel. Her daughter, Desireé Nel, says her mom landed in hospital because of a perforated ulcer that needed urgent medical treatment.

“My mom was transferred from Odendaalsrus to Pelonomi Hospital and they did not have any beds available. So what happened was, they put her in a dirty storeroom. She was lying on a bed that was too small for her and so it caused her feet to swell. Around about 6 ‘o clock that night they came to my mom and said, ‘sorry we forgot about you, you need to go to theatre.’”

OFM News/Thandi Ntobela