The Free State government visited various hospitals in the province as part of a Mandela Month programme.

Held under the theme “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”, MECs were tasked to visit various hospitals, focusing on resolving maintenance issues, reviving hospital infrastructure, and collectively addressing challenges in the health sector.

Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism MEC Ketso Makume visited the Tokolo Mafube District Hospital in Heilbron on Friday (26/7) and commended the facility for its community services.

Essentials were donated to the paediatric unit. Picture: Facebook/Free State Provincial Treasury

“We engaged with the hospital’s management to find out what we can do to help the hospital be functional. We joined them in cleaning, washing dishes, doing the laundry, and engaging with patients on the challenges they face.

“I’ve never seen a public hospital as clean as this one, I’ve also never seen the systems, which are put in place where you come in as a patient, and within ten to 15 minutes you are already being attended to. 

“The attitude of both the management and the staff was very welcoming, the patients affirmed to me that they receive this type of attitude and welcome every single time they come to the hospital,” he said.

MEC Ketso Makume spoke to patients waiting to be seen at the hospital. Picture: Facebook/Free State Provincial Treasury

Acting hospital CEO Sello Mafumane presented the challenges of the institution,  which range from tools of trade, lack of staff, challenges of beds by the hospital, and Jojo tanks, to boreholes, water problems, and the difficulty of opening other wards due to staff shortages.

The Ngwathe mayor, Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni, and Makume then painted the EMS station and ramp rails at the Management block until the end of the day.

There was an interruption of water in the municipality and the hospital was affected, so the management working with the municipality, and other partners have started looking at options for installing a borehole, said Makume.

Ngwathe Mayor Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni and MEC Ketso Makume at the Tokolo Mafube District Hospital. Picture: Facebook/Free State Provincial Treasury

“Another one is to approach Rand Water so that when they reduce water supply the hospital, schools, and police stations should (exempted).”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg