Quality healthcare and to change the public’s perspective on government institutions is on top of the to-do-list of Heidelberg Hospital’s new acting CEO. Lebohang Khumalo (39) has been appointed at the hospital at the start of the year and has already taken charge to improve the image of the hospital.
The hospital corridors for instance are clean and shiny and even the grounds around the building is tidy. This was just one of many things that the new broom of Khumalo is starting to sweep clean. She has no time for laziness and won’t hesitate to help out at Casualty when things get hectic.
“I am passionate about people and caring for each other. If you have self respect, you will treat your patients with respect and love. We are here to serve our patients and I want the negative perception about government institutions (and specific government healthcare facilities) to change. Heidelberg Hospital must be known as a friendly facility where you will receive the best healthcare possible,” Khumalo said.
She is adamant that the hospital cannot be seen as it used to be and that the community will appreciate the facility as a care-giving, friendly place. “We, as the staff of Heidelberg Hospital, must in return show our appreciation of our community/patients. This hospital must match any private healthcare facility,” Khumalo added.
Lebohang started her nursing career at Kwa-Thema Community Health Centre in 2007 where she also worked in the in-house department. She furthered her career by specialising in primary healthcare.
Khumalo then worked as a research nurse at WRHI (Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute) until March 2017. She then started as a primary healthcare nurse at Pholosong Hospital in Brakpan where she became the operational manager of the outpatient department.
Khumalo has been a Nigel resident since 2013 where she stays with her two children as well as her sister’s daughters.
She believes that prevention is better than cure and wants to go out and interact with her community as well as educate them on important health issues.
“I have an open door policy and invite members of the public, patients, their families as well as organisations to communicate with me,” Khumalo concluded.
One of her service delivery acts towards the community is a Heidelberg Hospital Facebook page which will inform the public about services offered.
