This, in light of minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s written reply to a parliamentary question posed by EFF MP, Nthako Matiase. The written response indicates that all four districts, within the province, have a shortage of medical personnel. The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has to do with more than 400 open positions and 100 vacancies of professional nurses while the shortage of medical officers, nursing assistants, staff nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentist and psychologists also calls for concern.

Second to this district is the Bojanala District where 337 vacancies needs to be filled, while Ngaka Modiri needs to fill 260 positions and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District just over 200 posts.

Healthcare facilities in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District made national headlines in the past months when residents in Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, and neighbouring towns went on the rampage over service delivery issues. Health services at hospitals such as Tshepong and clinics in these towns were worst affected as protestors persistently blocked healthcare workers from entering the facilities.

The Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into the North West provincial government, led by Charel De Beer, is currently conducting oversight visits in the province to assess the progress made and look at ways to improve service delivery.