POLOKWANE – The appointment of a new CEO, clinical manager and a nurse manager at Seshego Hospital in December 2019, has yielded some improvements and all that is needed now is for the community to understand that this is a referral hospital.
The MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba this week told BONUS that, even though some challenges remain, the hospital has seen an improvement in the services rendered since the change in management.
On 16 July, BONUS published an article entitled, ‘Seshego Hospital is a hospital of horrors’, lamenting the stories supplied by complainants having been sent away from the hospital without consultations, queues, a shortage of beds, linen and food and general service complaints. This was responded to by a second wave of patient complaints, this time on social media, of poor service.
But this week, the MEC in an interview with BONUS said it is important for residents to understand that Seshego Hospital is a referral hospital, which means it serves patients who are referred from 13 clinics in the vicinity. If patients simply show up without the necessary referral letters, it will undoubtedly overburden the hospital, she added.
“The influx of patients and subsequent service they complain about, would not happen had they first opted to go to their nearest clinic.”
Ramathuba noted as an example, that most pregnant women are not comfortable with giving birth at their local clinics, which affects the capacity of the hospital.
“The Seshego Hospital cannot cope with this workload and we need to be honest about this. Yet, the only people we will not send away are those going to the maternity ward. Those who are there for other services will be sent to clinics.”
She said the help of community leaders was necessary in this regard, and that a meeting should be held between them and the community once the lockdown is lifted. According to the MEC, prior to the change in management, staff were demoralised and there was a shortage of key equipment.
“Since the change in management, the hospital has been able to procure the necessary equipment and change staff morale. The new management was only in place for three months before the Covid-19 pandemic and I am satisfied with the improvements made in this time.”
She said the hospital is in the process of appointing staff in positions that have become vacant.
