According to the department's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, the posts that were filled include those for three session doctors.

Currently, there are 250 vacant posts, of which 234 are frozen because they have been vacant for more than 12 months.

A total of 22 doctors were appointed, while 15 posts are still vacant.

Three specialists have been appointed, while four posts are vacant.

65 posts for nursing assistants have been filled; however, only 10 letters have been issued while there are 12 vacant posts.

48 staff nurses’ posts have been filled, while 28 remain vacant.

112 professional nurses have been appointed, while there are 38 vacant posts.

A deputy nursing manager has been appointed, alongside two assistant nursing directors, while one position stays open.

Three clinical coordinators have been appointed, while 13 operational managers’ posts have been filled. There are currently six vacant posts. 

ALSO READ: Shortage, qualifications of health personnel in spotlight

In 2022, provincial health departments countrywide had 21 000 vacant posts that needed to be filled. Democratic Alliance member of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Michéle Clarke, told OFM News last year that the National Department of Health has not communicated when it will be in a position to fill these posts. She also stated that there are fewer than three doctors to care for one thousand patients within the public health sector.

Later in the same year, Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla gave assurance that every staff member of the department, both nationally and provincially, is qualified to perform their specialised jobs. Since 1 January 2022, no unqualified personnel have been employed in the public healthcare sector, according to Phaahla.

He was replying to Clarke, who had asked for the number of unqualified personnel who have been employed in the national and provincial public healthcare sectors since 1 January 2022. 

ALSO READ: More than 100 vacancies filled at Pelonomi

Free State’s foremost trauma hospital, Pelonomi Hospital, appointed medical staff towards the end of 2022 that helped elevate the level of patient care at the institution. A total of 114 vacancies have been filled since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year, including 52 professional nurses, 21 nursing assistants and 11 medical officers. 

ALSO READ: Boitumelo Hospital given attention by Free State Health

Back in Kroonstad, the Boitumelo Hospital has recently been given much-needed attention by Free State Health. The infrastructure, which includes operating theatres that have been non-functional for a while, has been restored. 

Mvambi said that air conditioners in three of the five operating theatres have been repaired and two more have been ordered. Another air conditioner has been installed in the maternity theatre and the leaking steam pipes have also been repaired.

"In the hospital's kitchen, several issues have been fixed: roof leaks were repaired, the drainage system was unblocked, five cold rooms were repaired, the geyser installation was completed, and tiles were installed," said Mvambi. 

OFM News