In a statement released on Wednesday, the committee says it wants to see clear time frames set towards filling the senior posts, which are presently being occupied by acting officials. 

It comes after Committee Chairperson, Cathrine Dlamini told OFM News on Tuesday, that the provincial department had delivered on some promises, showing slow and steady progress, but still faced many challenges that required long term planning. 

She expressed concern that the department did not have plans with clear time frames for many of these long term challenges. 

OFM News’ Olebogeng Motse reports that the R 380 million Albert Nzula hospital is not only plagued by staff shortages.

The Select Committee on Social Services has revealed that the multi-million rand hospital, of which the opening was marred by delays due to among others a faulty sewerage system, does not have a budget for purchasing medical equipment. 

Dlamini added the goods and services budget is negligible. The hospital is also operating without a fleet of vehicles, which the health department attributed to constraints placed on procuring cars in the province. 

Despite these challenges, OFM News reported Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein has been moving its orthopaedic patients and surgeons to the Trompsburg Hospital so that they can make use of the operating theaters there. 

This is due to Pelonomi’s shortage of operating theaters. 

The committee noted the department’s progress in ensuring primary health care facilities do have adequate medical equipment, mentioning the procurement of mobile clinics and 60 ambulances in the province. 

Tuesday a handing over mobile clinic ceremony was held at the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

OFM News