The Free State premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, is translating tough talk into action in ensuring quality service is delivered at the trouble-ridden Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
The health facility has for years been hamstrung by complex problems, which have equally impacted on the patients and staff.
Letsoha-Mathae on Friday, 26 July, visited the hospital as part of the provincial government’s Mandela Month programme, aimed at restoring human dignity and serving the public as advocated by late Nelson Mandela.
According to her, there was significant improvement in terms of rendering services and care to patients, as well as the facility’s cleanliness. Leaks in toilets and showers have been fixed, while work was ongoing in the repair of faulty lights and cleaning the premises.
However, the premier noted symptoms of what she perceived as irresponsibility and neglect, which triggered her enough to express intense exasperation upon not receiving a clear explanation as to why linen had been placed in one of the showers.
She was unhappy with the explanation that the linen had been used during an emergency to block water from leaks in toilets and showers.
Letsoha-Mathae strongly expressed disgust with employees having visitors at work during working hours, stressing such attitude compromised patients’ health and the delivery of service by the government.
“It will be difficult for us as leadership of the government to manage facilities and ensure that employees do their work, which they applied for,” she said.
As part of concerted efforts to restore the reputation of service delivery at the hospital, Letsoha-Mathae said the acting chief executive officer (CEO) had been replaced.
“We are moving people around not because we hate you, but to ensure improvement,” she said.
Letsoha-Mathae further lamented the incomplete construction work at the hospital left by companies that had been offered tenders.
“We want those companies to pay back the money, so we can improve services and the conditions at the hospital.”
