The FF Plus has asked the Free State MEC for Health, Mr Monyatso Mahlatsi, to urgently address the serious health and safety risks at the National Hospital in Bloemfontein.
During a recent oversight visit to the Hospital, the FF Plus discovered serious problems.
Vandalised fences on the western side make it easy for criminal elements to gain access to the premises, while medical waste lies discarded in a nearby field and old asbestos structures are being looted.
The FF Plus received complaints from Wilgehof residents who are deeply concerned about the health risks posed by the asbestos and medical waste. The deserted area is also used for drug dealing, which further jeopardises residents’ safety.
Complaints have also been received about the looting of hospital property, such as new beds and mattresses that were unlawfully removed.
This points to serious security problems and poor control over resources in state hospitals.
With the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) around the corner, this situation serves as clear proof that the NHI is doomed to fail under the current circumstances. If government cannot exercise basic control and perform routine maintenance at hospitals, the NHI will be an unattainable and risky undertaking.
The FF Plus is calling on the Department of Health to urgently fix the fences, remove the medical waste and asbestos, and improve the hospital premises’ security.
Ensuring the health and safety of communities around hospitals as well as patients should always be a top priority.
