STELLALANDER-VRYBURG - The North West Health MEC Sello Lehari has conducted one of his many planned oversight visits to health facilities as part of his “Re Bona Ka Matlho” programme.
This time the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg has welcomed the MEC and afforded him the opportunity to interact with the hospital management team led by CEO Portia Tlou, District Chief Director Abednigo Mvula and the Acting Clinical Manager Dr Jacob Fourie. In his introductory remarks MEC Lehari indicated that his oversight visit should not be perceived as policing but as an opportunity to understand the operations in the hospital, note challenges and determine what form of support to give the hospital. He also highlighted the importance of patient care, dealing with complaints, ensuring safety of patients, doctors, nurses and all employees in the facility. “We need to do our best to ensure quality health service to our people. If people complain, we have to act on time. People should be happy about our services”, said MEC Lehari. In outlining the service offerings, CEO Tlou indicated that the population is increasing and therefore the demand for services is also increasing. “The hospital is gazetted for 120 beds but currently functioning at 163. “We pride ourselves of having brought specialised services Oncology unit closer to our people so that our people don’t have to travel too far to receive services. Some of the services that are only found in the private sector like optical laboratory, state of the art CT scan and others are offered here”, CEO Tlou. The MEC was pleased to learn that the issue of water which was recently a challenge has been resolved with a secondary borehole installed. He also noted a few pressing matters that were raised and could be quickly fixed like fixing the boom gate, and demarcating forensic mortuary and one specific for the hospital. “I appreciate that this hospital does not have many challenges. The pressing issues that were raised should be prioritised in terms of short, medium and long term. We will soon after the budget speech revisit all these issues and intervene”, said MEC Lehari.
