A letter making the rounds on social media and supposedly originating from WF Knobel Hospital asking the public for donations to repair windows, purchase heaters and blankets has been met with mixed reaction.
Social media was abuzz this week with some saying the medical professionals who wrote the letter would be victimised while others point fingers at the Department of Health for the alleged failure to assist the hospital with repairs. A letter, written by a person who identified himself as Dr L Rambuwani working as a Medical Officer at hospital was supported by the Senior Clinical Manager and approved by acting Chief Executive Officer was addressed to the community of South Africa.
The hospital requests assistance to raise
R15 000 to buy 50 heaters to mount on the walls in the hospital’s paediatric wards. Although it was stated that the money is not enough, the hospital is convinced that it will provide the much needed warmth.
“It is with great sadness and embarrassment having to write this letter to you. I serve in a public hospital which lacks many things and with very little support from the powers that be. Our patients are admitted in the wards with broken windows with all the cold abusing them and hindering their recovery. I am not overlooking the fact that windows have to be opened for infection control but as we lack resources our patients sleep with one or two blankets and our wards are really cold,” the letter read, adding that WF Knobel Hospital doctors have agreed to buy one heater each costing R250.
Polokwane Observer was made aware that the letter was written by Dr Lufuno Rambuwani who took to social media to apologise for his actions. He wrote: “There is a letter which I wrote asking for donations for the hospital I work for. I am happy to announce that the department has intervened and all is well. I would also like to apologise to have not followed communication and donation protocols of the department. The intention was genuine and came from a good place. In my line of work you cannot really detach from emotions. Thank you everyone and accept my humble apology.”
Commenting on the post, people applauded Rambuwani for his bravery and action and reiterated that the letter was the only way to get the department’s attention while others said he should not apologise for doing the right thing. A source close to the matter told Polokwane Observer that the letter somehow prompted the department to dispatch maintenance team to the hospital on Saturday to repair the hospital.
However, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba Spokesperson Thabiso Teffo rebutted the statement saying the department was not forced by the letter to repair the hospital. He acknowledged that health infrastructure across the province is not in good standard and reiterated that they repair health facilities whenever they see an issue.
Initially the department distanced itself from the letter saying in a media statement that the hospital did not follow due processes as outlined in Treasury Regulations of gifts, donations and sponsorships. Ramathuba reportedly met with WF Knobel Hospital doctors on Monday to discuss the letter. In another statement she was quoted saying “During the engagements, the doctors and the hospital management told me that the letter was meant to galvanise resources from other doctors within the hospital and not to be published for public consumption.”
Ramathuba has instructed senior officials in the district and the province to assist the hospital to procure the much needed blankets and other supplies needed at the hospital as well as ensuring that critical repairs are done at the hospital.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
