Despite promises from former Premier Sisi Ntombela and her successor, Mxolisi Dukwana, to renovate and upgrade the maternity ward, progress has been slow, leaving expectant mothers at risk.

In her previous tenure, Ntombela had assured the public that the maternity ward at Pelonomi would be fully renovated by the end of the 2023/24 financial year. This was a critical promise, given the growing concerns about overcrowding and the inadequate facilities at the hospital. However, renovations remain incomplete, and the maternity ward continues to struggle with overwhelming patient numbers.

The issue was once again brought to light during a recent meeting of the Free State Legislature Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts and Finance (Propac) at the Fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein. Masechaba Sesing, the Free State Head of the Department of Health, highlighted the dire situation, noting that the current maternity ward is simply unable to cater to the growing number of pregnant women seeking care at Pelonomi.

"We had this other ward where we were going to put additional beds, I think it was about 60 beds and three theatres. There was also an announcement that was made by the honourable Premier in her maiden speech in terms of using the Pelonomi Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as an extended medical ward. However, we will still need to use the ward in Pelonomi as well,” Sesing stated.

She also stressed the importance of completing construction at the National Hospital and the Government Mortuary in Bloemfontein, which have also caused strain and stretched resources at Pelonomi Hospital. 

The National Hospital was closed last year after one of the wards was engulfed by fire. The Government Mortuary in Bloemfontein was also closed down by the Labour Department last year because of exposed copper wiring, poor ventilation and a clogged sewerage system.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg