Free State Prime Minister Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae spoke to patients during a visit to Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein on Friday. Photo: Teboho Setena
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae is turning tough words into action to ensure quality care is provided at the troubled Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
The healthcare institution has been struggling with complex problems for years, which affect both patients and staff.
Letsoha-Mathae visited the hospital on Friday, July 26, as part of the provincial government’s Mandela Month programme, which aims to restore human dignity and serve the people as championed by the late Nelson Mandela.
According to her, there was a significant improvement in terms of providing services and care to patients, as well as the cleanliness of the facility. Leaks in toilets and showers have been repaired, while work was done to fix broken lights and clean the areas.
However, the Prime Minister did notice symptoms of what she perceived as irresponsibility and neglect, which affected her so much that she expressed great frustration when she did not receive a clear explanation as to why linen had been left in one of the showers.
She was not happy with the explanation that the linens had been used during an emergency to block water leaks in toilets and showers.
Letsoha-Mathae expressed her disgust at the fact that employees were receiving visitors at work during working hours, saying that such an attitude jeopardizes the health of patients and the services provided by the government.
“It will be difficult for us as government leaders to manage the facilities and ensure that employees are doing the work they have applied to do,” she said.
As part of the concerted efforts to restore the reputation of service delivery at the hospital, Letsoha-Mathae said the acting CEO had been replaced.
“We don’t move people because we hate you, we move them to make things better,” she said.
Letsoha-Mathae also lamented the unfinished construction works at the hospital, which were left behind by the companies that were awarded tenders.
“We want those companies to pay back the money so that we can improve the services and conditions in the hospital.”
Teboho Setena
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