The shortage of medical personnel and medication are among the challenges continuing to plague the Free State Health Department. This is according to Swizwe Mbalo, the Deputy Speaker of the Free State Legislature. Mbalo was speaking on the sidelines of the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) oversight visit to healthcare facilities in the Mangaung region.

Mbalo says the issue of unfilled vacancies and how the Department spends their budget are some of the issues that have been raised sharply. He says they are hopeful that the week long oversight visit will assist all the roleplayers to come up with practical solutions.

Olebogeng Motse reports some medical practitioners in the Free State have not received overtime salaries for more than four years. This was also revealed during the NCOP' oversight visit to Botshabelo District Hospital today.

According to hospital management, financial constraints in the past prevented the Free State Department of Health from compensating staff for overtime. Staffers now apply to work overtime. They did not do that previously. Hospital management will pay staff overdue salaries, even if they have already retired or have left their posts.

OFM News' Katleho Morapela reports that Parliamentarians are currently in the Free State to engage members of the public and monitor the state of healthcare facilities in the Mangaung Metro.

Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, and Health MEC, Butana Komphela, are among provincial leaders accompanying members of Parliament conducting public engagements in Botshabelo. They are later expected to visit clinics in the area.

OFM News