Some members of the public commended the health services offered at Mpumalanga’s tertiary and referral hospital, Rob Ferreira, during an informative open day hosted by the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, on November 10.
Others took the opportunity to voice some of the issues they faced at the hospital.
Just a week after the same event at Themba Hospital in KaBokweni, Manzini again listened to complaints and compliments from the public from various areas as far as villages in Nkomazi and surrounds.
One of the issues Manzini encouraged Rob Ferreira Hospital’s CEO, Fridah Nyathi, and the board to tackle, was the matter of hygiene and the hospital’s cleanliness.
This matter was raised by a Mbombela community member, Chrystal Phangisa, who told Mpumalanga News she had personally offered to help to keep the hospital clean.
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“I have made plenty of enquiries, but nothing is being done and no one wants to take responsibility, especially in the cleaning department. The hospital is dirty, and I cannot imagine how the patients feel who need to get healthcare facilities on a daily basis. This is a hospital with great services, but it is unhygienic. The hospital serves the community, therefore it is necessary for us to come together and find ways to keep it clean.”
A community member of Msholozi, Sibusiso Jele, said the residents in Mbombela struggle to receive healthcare services in time because of the lack of a clinic.
Other community members commended the hospital and its staff for their patience and hard work, such as in the kidney, cancer and tuberculosis treatment units.
Manzini assured the community that the Department of Health would continue to prioritise the people and provide them with adequate healthcare services. She thanked the Mpakeni Traditional Authority and other guests present at the open day.
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Manzini also encouraged community members to do regular medical checkups for early detection of ailments and further treatment.
“Rob Ferreira Hospital deals with referrals from regional hospitals, so I urge people to start at their local clinics to access healthcare services. This is procedural. I also pledge the public to be patient as the department deals with all challenges and concerns raised accordingly so that health services are not disrupted,” she said.