The two teams of delegates who are currently visiting the capital city of the province Mahikeng, as well as Klerksdorp and other surrounding towns as part of their week-long oversight visit has raised concerns over the number of open vacancies and the growing number of senior managers in acting positions. 

Vacancies within the Health Department and the Department of Social Development have been highlighted following the committee’s visit to the Bophelong Provincial Hospital in Mahikeng where they found out that the position of the Chief Executive Officer has been vacant since June 2015 and that there is a vacancy rate of over 34% for medical doctors at the hospital. 

On Wednesday OFM News reported on Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s written reply to a parliamentary question, confirming the vacancies within the province.

The written response indicated that all four districts within the province have a shortage of medical personnel. The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has to do with more than 400 open positions and 100 vacancies of professional nurses while the shortage of medical doctors, officers, nursing assistants, staff nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentist and psychologists calls for concern.

Second to this district is the Bojanala District where 337 vacancies needs to be filled, while the Ngaka Modiri needs to fill 260 and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District just over 200 posts.

Healthcare facilities in the province made national headlines earlier this year when residents in Mahikeng, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, and neighbouring towns went on the rampage over service delivery issues. 

Health services at hospitals such as Bophelong and Tshepong were worst affected as protesters persistently blocked healthcare workers from entering the facilities.

OFM News