In a parliamentary reply to the DA, Phaahla confirms the province has an overall job vacancy rate of 15.2%. He says whilst this is a concern, it should be kept in mind that the provincial department’s 2020/21 budget was reduced by over R400 million, which posed some challenges in the appointment of healthcare personnel. He says the department is now mainly filling critical posts and assure the public that other posts will be filled as and when the budget is available. According to his report, the Klerksdorp Tertiary Hospital, the Witrand Regional Hospital, and the Moses Kotane District Hospital has the highest number of vacant posts.  

Phaahla says the provincial department is working towards filling all critical posts at these hospitals and many others to ensure provision of adequate services. His statement comes as the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic with the North West ranked among one of the provinces with high active cases.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the North West now stands at 147 678 with 139 011 people having recovered and 4 029 who succumbed to the virus. The province has a total of 5 152 active cases.

In total, 822 987 vaccines against the Covid-19 pandemic have been administered to date.

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