Tag Archives: North West MEC for Health

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha is accused of underspending R200.6 million during 2022/2023 financial year

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, is under siege as the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU), calls for his resignation. The union alleged that, the department has underspent R200.6 million during the 2022/23 financial year.

HAITU Secretary-General, Lerato Mthunzi said the union demands the immediate dismissals of all nine Provincial Health MECs for underspending their budgets by a whopping R3 billion. Mthunzi further said they are shocked and angry at the news that, the Provincial Departments of Health in all provinces, underspent their budgets by a whopping R3 billion for the 2022/2023 financial year.

“According to IOL, the worst performer was Gauteng, which underspent by R2.7 billion. The Western Cape did not spend R180 million, Northern Cape failed to spent R141m, Limpopo underspent R103m, Free State failed to spent R85m, Eastern Cape underspent R62.2m, Mpumalanga underspent R25.3m and North West has underspent R200.6m.

“HAITU is shocked to hear that, the Gauteng Department of Health, claims that the department underspent its budget due to “late receipt of invoices, reduced number of nursing students enrolled for the academic year and delays in submission of non-profit institutions claims,” she said.

Mthunzi added that, they find their reasons difficult to believe because it is their experience that, many suppliers are not paid on time by the department. She said the failure of the department to pay suppliers results in shortages of essential items needed by healthcare facilities.

“The Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, must be the first to go. Limpopo claimed its underspending was due to delayed deliveries of medical equipment, while Mpumalanga tried to justify its failure by claiming delays in procurement equipment and revised public procurement regulations. 

“The North West claimed its underspending was due to delays in submission of invoices by service providers and late delivery of medical equipment. These are just some of the pathetic, unconvincing excuses, which have been given to say the least,” she said.

Mthunzi said the excuses are a reflection of an uncaring health ministry that has no regard for the suffering of patients, and also workers. She said their members have to bear the brunt of the anger of the community every single day because the provincial departments of health are grossly incompetent.

“There are thousands of unemployed doctors and nurses, who are desperately needed to beef up the quality of service in the public healthcare sector. They have not been absorbed into the system. Our hospitals are collapsing because of the massive budget cuts, which have affected spending on infrastructure,” said Mthunzi.

She said there are ICU wards with leaky ceilings, elevators are inoperable in many hospitals, which make transportation of patients from different wards very difficult. Mthunzi said there is a lack of decent security in the facilities because they are told there is no money.

“So, to find out that these departments have failed to spend the money, which was allocated to them is uncalled for. Various MECs must account and mass dismissals must follow because their glaring failure to spend, contributes to the shocking state of public healthcare in this country.

“Their failures make healthcare workers accomplices to murder because of their reckless incompetence, which jeopardises the lives of the patients we serve,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane refuted the allegations and said they are false.

“No, it’s not true and the department did not underspend R200.6 million. The department disputes this amount and on contrary, we can report only a R4.7 million underspending, which was on conditional grant.

“A rollover request for this amount was granted by Treasury. So, the department wishes to refer everyone, including HAITU to the 2022/2023 annual report in which the R4.7 million underspending is reported. 

“In the light of the facts above, the department views the call for Sambatha to be fired as baseless,” he said.

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North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha calls on individuals to practice safe sex

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha

By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said his department will this week (6-10 February 2024), observe the STI/Condom Week which is an initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of practicing safe and protected sex.

Sambatha said the campaign encourages people, especially young adults to use condoms and prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spreading of Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like HIV/AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhoea.

Reflecting on the departmental commemorative plans, he further said it was pivotal to raise awareness about the significance of condoms and educate
people on safe sex, especially young adolescents and teenagers.

“STDs are one of the major causes of death in the world. Teen pregnancies and unplanned pregnancies are also a big concern. This week reminds us of the importance of using condoms and practicing safe sex.

“The year 2024 marks almost 170 years since rubber condoms were used for the first time. Condoms are one of the few contraceptive methods that provide 98% protection from sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies,” he said.

Sambatha added that, everyone who is sexually active, should engage in conversations
about safe sexual practices with their partners and to use condoms correctly whenever
they have sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

He said using condoms is a form of self-care and a way to contribute to public health.

“Everyone has the right to make important decisions about their own sexual health and
partners need to engage in open and honest conversations about safer sex practices
as this will lead to healthy and enjoyable experiences.

“An STI is an infection passed from one person to another person through sexual contact. An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite enters and grows in or on your body. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs,” said Sambatha.

He said some STIs can be cured and some STIs cannot be cured. Sambatha said for those STIs that cannot be cured, there are medicines to manage the symptoms.

“Some STIs are most common STDs such as Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the most common sexually transmitted
infection (STI). Many people with HPV do not develop any symptoms, but can still infect others through sexual contact. Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women.

“It can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the
womb). Genital herpes is sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and
sores,” he said.

Sambatha said it is caused by the herpes simplex virus and the disease can affect both men and women. He said pain, itching and small sores appear first.

“They form ulcers and scabs. After initial infection, genital herpes lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can recur for years. Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoea bacterium. Gonorrhoea infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian
tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men.

“HIV or the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the
body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the
most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system,” said Sambatha.

He said this makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. Sambatha said syphilis is a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“If untreated, it can cause serious health issues. Syphilis in pregnancy may lead to stillbirth, newborn death and babies born with syphilis (congenital syphilis). It is important for individuals to go to the clinic for treatment if one suspect any signs and symptoms.

“Treatment for STIs and provision of condoms is given free of charge at primary healthcare clinics across the province. Most STIs are easily treated and can be cured. Public health facilities throughout the province will continue to educate the public about safe sexual practices and provide voluntary screening for STIs,” he said.

Sambatha said a provincial event will
be convened in the Bojanala District later this month.

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