By OBAKENG MAJE
9 June 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said it has formally written to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, demanding a full investigation and immediate intervention regarding the state of healthcare services at Bophelong Hospital in Mahikeng. This comes after allegations that there is a health crisis at the hospital.
The DA councillor in Tswaing Local Municipality, Kagiso Magwejane said patients were allegedly left unattended for over a month. Magwejane said these patients have been admitted for extended periods.
“Some for over a month without receiving the critical surgical procedures urgently required. Patients admitted with fractures are being subjected to repeated surgical postponements without proper consultation or reasonable explanation.
“In one instance, surgery was postponed five consecutive times, with the latest cancellation occurring on 23 May 2025. Like many others, patients have to fast from 10pm the previous night in preparation for the procedure, only to be informed on the morning of the surgery about the cancellation due to a shortage of available nurses for the theatre,” he said.
Magwejane further said this is not an isolated case as several patients have shared similar ordeals. He added that some have been discharged without being operated on and told they will only be called back once the theatre becomes available—an alarming practice that poses a serious risk to their health and recovery.
“This situation is not only emotionally distressing, but also medically dangerous. Patients are suffering unnecessarily, while their conditions worsen.
“It is clear that Bophelong Hospital is struggling with severe staff shortages, poor planning, and a breakdown of internal systems. This points to a broader crisis in our provincial healthcare system—one that is failing the very people it is meant to serve,” said Magwejane.
He said they were calling for urgent action. Magwejane said they will also engage with Hendriette Huyssteen, the DA’s Provincial Spokesperson on Health, to urgently conduct an oversight visit to Bophelong Hospital.
“Our communities deserve better. The health and dignity of our people cannot be compromised any longer,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi who admitted that there is a shortage of nurses at the hospital said, the department is finalizing the process to recruit nurses to stabilise the operating theatre by 30 June 2025. Mothibedi said they will increase theatre operational time and number of operating theatres over weekends.
“Yes, some surgeries have been postponed multiple times over the past month due to shortage of staff. Not all surgeries could be performed hence some postponement.
“This is due to the retirements as well as resignations for greener pastures and unexpected sick leaves,” he said.
Mothibedi said an average of 45 operations scheduled for April and May 2025, were cancelled. He said if operations are not an emergency, the waiting time is plus minus 6 weeks.
“Recruitment of nursing staff and increasing theatre times to manage the backlog. It is not standard procedure for patients to be released without being operated on, however, emergency cases are prioritized within the hospital.
“Those found not to be of emergency by nature would be discharged following stabilization and will be booked for an elective surgery. Those that need emergency operations that cannot be done internally are referred to other hospitals within the province,” said Mothibedi.
The Guardian 