MEC Mathabo Leeto says filling all vacant posts with people who are qualified is the department’s part of building a capable state. 

She explained that out of the 19 273 filled posts, 946 are medical officers, 177 medical specialists, 3 893 professional nurses, 2 210 assistant nurses, 130 pharmacists, 1 131 staff nurses and 10 786 that are in other categories of healthcare workers. 

“The department will in the near future fill critical posts, including hospital CEOs and District Directors in the 2023/24 financial year,” she added.

ALSO READ: Free State Health has second biggest budget

During the previous financial year, the department committed to filling 637 active vacant posts, prioritising clinical posts. More than 570 officials were appointed and while 255 others were promoted. 

The FF Plus asked a question about the staff shortage in the public health sector, which revealed that there are more than 6 000 vacant posts, allegedly due to a lack of funds. The party believes that the shortage contributes to the poor state of health services in the province. 

Member of Parliament Adriaan de Bruyn said they are not satisfied with Health Minister Joe Phaahla's approach to the problem. “It is unacceptable that the health department has so many vacant posts because it hinders the quality of services patients receive in hospitals and clinics,” he said. 

He also explained that the provincial department has appointed a task team to give priority to critical positions each year.

ALSO READ: More than 100 vacancies filled at Pelonomi

A total of 114 vacancies have been filled since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. Staff shortages have been a major issue at the hospital, which the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) identified as a crisis during an oversight visit to healthcare facilities in the province. 

The departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, said 52 professional nurses have been appointed at the hospital, as well as 21 nursing assistants, 11 medical officers, six drivers, five switchboard operators, three operational managers, three artisan foremen, three medical specialists, two area managers (nursing), two boiler operators, two chief physiotherapists, one food service manager, one chief dietician, one dietician and one chief occupational therapist. 

The appointments mentioned above were made on 1 April 2022.

ALSO READ: Over 500 vacancies filled at Boitumelo Hospital

During February 2023, 549 of the 801 posts have been successfully filled at the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad. 

Provincial spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the posts that were filled include those for three session doctors. At the time, there were 250 vacant posts, of which 234 are frozen because they have been vacant for more than 12 months. 

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.

OFM News