Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari visiting Witrand Hospital
By OBAKENG MAJE
23 June 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari today visited Witrand Hospital following reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged death of a long-term patient at the facility. Lehari was accompanied by the Interim Superintendent-General, Mosela Mokhutshwane-Kaudi, alongside other senior officials from the department.
He further said his visit formed part of the department’s ongoing Re Bona Ka Matlho oversight programme, which aims to proactively engage health facilities and respond swiftly to emerging issues of concern. Lehari added that Witrand Psychiatric Hospital is one of the province’s leading specialized institutions, providing care for individuals with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric conditions, and patients requiring physical medicine and rehabilitation services.
“Given the hospital’s significance, the allegations shared on social media warranted immediate attention and verification. During the visit, we engaged the hospital’s management team to gather preliminary information.
“It was confirmed that the matter has already been referred to law enforcement authorities and is currently under active investigation. In addition to this, we directed the establishment of an internal investigation team composed of senior departmental officials,” he said.
Lehari said the team, consisting of the Provincial Head of Clinical Services, Legal Experts and experienced Health Service Managers, will thoroughly investigate the allegations and provide a comprehensive report within two weeks. He said as a department, they take these allegations with the utmost seriousness.
“The safety and dignity of patients in our care are non-negotiable. While we await the outcome of the police investigation, we are conducting our own internal inquiry to ensure that the facts are established and that any necessary actions are taken swiftly and responsibly.
“The department is committed to transparency, accountability, upholding the rights and dignity of all patients in its care. The department will fully cooperate with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and any other relevant authorities in order to support a complete and conclusive investigation,” said Lehari.
He said his department expresses its deepest concern over the matter and assures the public that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of both internal and external investigations.
10 April 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said the communities of Taung in Sekhing and Manthe villages are left with optimism and joy following his visit. Lehari graced the areas to deliver on the health delivery commitments made to the communities of the sub-district.
He further said among the commitments made by the department to the communities of Taung is the completion of the Baga-Mothibi Community Health Centre (CHC). Lehari added that this project, which has become a lifeline for the communities scattered in over 16 villages falling under Kgosi Mothibi, was first constructed with a R140m budget estimate.
“The Baga-Mothibi Community Health Centre (CHC) was officially opened by the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile in September 2023. The facility offers 24-hour increased access to healthcare facilities to members of the surrounding communities.
“The latest work to be carried out on this project is for a budget estimate of R56m, which will cover the general building work which include brick and mortar where it is outstanding,” he said.
Lehari said the budget also covers electrical and ICT networks, mechanical, air conditioning, civil works inclusive of water and sewerage reticulation and pavements. He said this will be done in all 16 units of the facilities, which include maternity, Outpatient Department (OPD), staff residence, dental, radiology, medical gas areas and all the areas.
“We caution all stakeholders against delaying the project. We are here to handover to the contractor and the principal consultants. The contractor will begin and complete the remaining scope.
“The project must have the beginning and end. Therefore, project managers and consultants must be held accountable to ensure completion of the project,” said Lehari.
He said the handover, which was also attended by the Baga-Mothibi Traditional Council, the Speaker of the Local Municipality, municipal councillors, the acting DDG for Health Services and the
the District Chief Director, also deliberated on the roles of key stakeholders to make the project a success.
“I expect the contractor to work together with the project manager. The Community Liaison Officer must serve the role of being a link of the project with the community. A project steering committee which receives a sitting allowance should also assist completion of the project by playing its role.
“If we work together and there are no disruptions like rain, we can expect this project to be completed around April 2026,” he said.
In other exciting news, Lehari took time to meet with the Chief of Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane. The meeting was to reflect on much-anticipated plans to build a Community Health Centre for Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi.
“I briefed Motlhabane that Manthe CHC was on the B5 project list, but was not allocated a budget. However, we assured him and his tribal council that following a meeting with the National Department of Health, the CHC will now be allocated a budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
“We were requested at the meeting with National to first make sure that all current projects are completed before the new ones are accommodated. I have been hard at work conducting oversight through my “Re Bona Ka Matlho” programme to make sure that these projects are completed on time,” he said.
Lehari said this will enable them to start new projects, including the new Manthe CHC for Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi communities. He said while the Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi CHC is earmarked for the 2026/27 financial year, the Ba Ga-Mothibi CHC is a 12 month project estimated to be completed by April 2026.
Meanwhile, the excited Motlhabane, thanked Lehari and the department for the commitment to deliver the CHC. He assured the department for cooperation and alluded to the fact that the tribal council has already identified land for the project.
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari
By BAKANG MOKOTO
8 April 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari today handed over water reticulation and medical gas projects to contractors at the Job Shimankane Tabane (JST) hospital in Rustenburg.
Lehari said the two projects expected to start on 22 April 2025, were initiated following the “Re bona ka Matlho” campaign, which is an initiative to conduct oversight at health facilities across the province and intervene, where there are challenges.
“We welcome the appointment of the contractors and commencement of the projects. I was made aware of the challenges at JST Hospital during my visit to the facility in December 2024, and immediately requested the departmental management to avail funds to kickstart projects to address the challenges.
“The water project will involve the installation of a dedicated line to increase storage capacity in the hospital while the latter is a medical gas refurbishment project for the neonatal ward,” he said.
2 April 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said he condemn in the strongest terms possible, the barbaric acts of violence, by a group of people that had brought in an injured individual at Bapong Community Healthcare Centre, in the early hours of Sunday morning, 30 March 2025. Lehari said the preliminary report, indicates that a group of five people, who were allegedly unruly and are suspected to have been consuming alcohol, arrived at the facility and refused to be searched by security officials at the gate, as per regular protocol, and made their way into the facility.
He further said the group also allegedly refused to queue and wanted to be attended to immediately before all other queuing patients, who had been patiently waiting for their turn to be attended to by the nurses. Lehari added that, the unruly group then allegedly assaulted a security official, who was trying to intervene and maintain order at the facility.
“The department wishes to also debunk social media reports and set the record straight that none of our healthcare professionals in particular nurses were ever assaulted during this ordeal. I want to say to these individuals that, we have opened a criminal case against them and we will follow it through until they are arrested.
“We call on the community to work with us and identify these individuals who are disregarding the laws of our country,” he said.
Lehari said they convened a meeting on the same day, which was attended by senior officials from the department both from the district and the province – and all affected stakeholders at the facility, including local councillors, MMC for Health at the Madibeng Local Municipality, unions’ representatives, security officials, and healthcare professionals, amongst others, to delve deep into this matter.
He said they agreed on that a criminal case be officially opened, all healthcare professionals including security personnel that were on duty on the day, are afforded psycho-social support and security being reinforced at the facility, including sending more arm guards.
“Security is being equipped with all necessary tools, including metal detectors. Enhance working community centred campaigns on the delivery of healthcare services.
“We send a stern warning to those that are frequenting healthcare facilities in the wee hours, as a results of brawls from places that sell alcohol to behave, saying otherwise anyone undermining health processes is challenging the state,” said Lehari.
He said their healthcare professionals are doing so much to save lives and the last thing they need, is individuals, who had consumed alcohol to come and cause chaos in the facilities, demanding to skip the queue. Lehari said they will face the full might of the law and will set a good example with these ones who assume that they are more important that other patients.
“We call for calm and assuring all residents in and around Bapong village and the surrounding areas – that the facility is safe and remain operational,” he said.
Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
3 March 2025- The North West province has allegedly been experiencing persistent medicine shortages. According to allegations, there is a shortage of cancer medicine at various healthcare centres across the province.
However, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has assured patients and communities of a stable supply of medicines and other pharmaceutical services, despite the ongoing challenges which are being attended to. Lehari said it is important to note that pharmaceutical services in the province were placed under internal intervention during November 2023, following the system crash of the stock inventory management system at the provincial medicines depot.
“Since then, changes have been made in Provincial Pharmaceutical Management with the aim to improve Pharmaceutical Service Delivery and overall medicine availability. Processes related to procurement of medicines have been upgraded and improved to ensure that there is an increase in meeting the growing demand in public healthcare in the province.
“The medicine availability in pharmacies in the province is currently monitored through manual processes from product data reports as extracted from stock inventory management systems. As things stand, the average total medicine availability in 31 public sector pharmacies in the province is at 85.12% against a target of 80% medicine availability,” he said.
Lehari further said this shows that medicine availability in the province is improving since the intervention plan to address the challenges identified in 2023, started to be implemented. He added that cancer medication is procured through the National Contract for Supply and Delivery of Oncology and Immunological Agents to the Department of Health.
“Over the past few months, our department has experienced challenges in terms of inconsistent supply of a limited number of cancer medications. The contracted suppliers for medication that is used as treatment of choice for breast cancer have reported supply constraints to National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Chief Director for Sector Wide Procurement has released a circular to all health departments explaining how treatment should be adjusted and which alternatives should be used for the treatment of breast cancer.
“The current situation is such that the National Department of Health has embarked on a process to obtain quotations for alternative suppliers and the matter is receiving urgent attention. Currently, patients are getting Tamoxifen as the third alternative for management of breast cancer,” said Lehari.
He said the challenge is that due to the side effects, this item is not preferred by patients. Lehari said, currently, they have enough stock of Tamoxifen in their pharmacy.
“All changes to patient medication are made in consultation with specialists and in the best interest of patient outcome. South Africa is following a centralized procurement, where national contracts are awarded for procurement of medicines as contained in standard treatment guidelines and included in the essential medicines list.
“The province is not immune to the delays in shipping of medicines from different countries, as well as production problems that can cause delays in timeous delivery of medicines to service delivery points. From time to time, the department encounters increased demand or sudden increase in demand for certain medicines which can lead to temporary shortages,” he said.
Lehari said the regulatory delays where manufacturers have to apply for licensing of newly registered medicines can cause a slowdown in production and distribution. He said there are also financial challenges, where companies announce discontinuation of manufacturing of medicines and this can lead to fewer available options.
“These challenges are also compounded by trade restrictions, conflicts and international policy changes that can disrupt medicine supply processes. In some instances, protest actions can negatively impact the distribution of medicines where roads are closed and routes are not accessible which causes a delay in delivery of medicines to service delivery points.
“Working closely with Sector Wide Procurement and Affordable Medicines Directorate at National Level to escalate medicine supply chain challenges and seek solutions to challenges. The department is implementing a number of interventions including implementation of a stock out escalation protocol as an early warning sign to seek alternative treatment to ensure continuity of care,” said Lehari.
He said this includes continuous contracted supplier engagements to inform suppliers of challenges and/or increased needs to meet needs in terms of patient care. Lehari said they will also have an improved communication to clinicians to ensure that they communicate medicine stock out challenges and alternative options available to achieve the same therapeutic outcomes.
“Enrolment of patients on the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Program, where a contracted service provider supplies medicines to chronic stable patients. Raise public awareness through patient education sessions, adherence clubs and radio interviews.
“Pharmacy Managers meeting will be conducted weekly from 5 March 2025, going forward to ensure that challenges are communicated effectively and corrective measures are implemented without delay. So, I am confident that our department is making positive progress towards adequate medicine availability in the province and that the challenges are being addressed,” he said.
Lehari said he had studied reports on the status of pharmaceutical services and medicine availability. He said different stakeholders in and outside the province continue to work with his department to deal with challenges and other factors within and outside of our control.
14 November 2024- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari added his voice to millions around the world to mark World Diabetic Day. Every year on November 14, World Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed to raise awareness of this worldwide health issue.
Lehari said the World Diabetes Day offers a chance to highlight the importance of diabetes as a worldwide public health concern and the individual and group efforts required to enhance the disease’s detection, prevention, and treatment.
He further said the theme for this year: “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”, reflects their dedication to lowering the risk of diabetes and making sure that everyone with the disease has access to fair, thorough and high-quality care.
“Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. It is classified in 4 types known as type 1, Type 2, Gestational and prediabetes.
“During type 1 diabetes, your body produces little or no insulin. Type 2, insulin is not adequately used by the cells in your body. One kind of diabetes that appears during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes,” said Lehari.
He added that after the baby is born, this kind of diabetes usually disappears. Lehari said on the other hand, you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes in the future.
“If you have had gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can occasionally be identified during pregnancy. With prediabetes, blood glucose levels that are higher than usual but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes are found in people with prediabetes.
“You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes later in life if you now have prediabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of kidney, nerve, heart, and eye damage. Symptoms of diabetes includes increased thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, slow-healing sores or cuts and frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast infections,” he said.
Lehari said it can be managed by routine blood glucose tests, controlling blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, quitting smoking, creating a healthy diet, getting physical activity, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep and constantly taking diabetes medication including blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
He said long term complications of diabetes include cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) issues such as, but not limited to heart attack, stroke, skin infections, sexual dysfunction due to nerve and blood vessel damage, such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, hearing loss and amputations.
“The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has rapidly increased in South Africa, from 4.5% in 2010 to 12.7% in 2019. Of the 4.58 million people aged 20–79 years who were estimated to have diabetes in South Africa in 2019, 52.4% were undiagnosed,” said Lehari.
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari and delegation from Sibanye Stillwater mine/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
29 October 2024- The Sibanye Stillwater mine in Rustenburg has donated two ambulances and an emergency response vehicle. The vehicles which are fitted with modern equipment will provide much needed solutions for health facilities in the Bojanala District and further allow for ease of transportation of patients to specialised units equipped to treat their unique ailments.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, hailed the donation as yet another good example of how the private sector can work together with the government in finding solutions to challenges that confront citizens on a daily basis.
Lehari thanked Sibanye Stillwater for the donations.
“Undoubtedly, this contribution will improve our ability to deliver essential medical services to our citizens. I am very confident that these vehicles will enable high quality medical service delivery to patients requiring inter-hospital transfers and external referrals.
“South Africa’s public healthcare facilities are under great strain and the ambulance service is no exception, which is tragic, given that when it comes to health issues, speed of reaction by medical personnel is very often the difference between life and death,” he said.
Lehari further said the government can achieve much, but the government can achieve much more through partnerships with stakeholders. He added that as a government, they hold a firm view that it takes the community, the private sector, civil society organisations and government partnerships to significantly impact on service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Vice President for Social Sustainability at Sibanye Stillwater, Sibongile Zikalala said the gesture was symbolic of their commitment to community development.
“As Sibanye, we are putting every effort in partnering with government as we have a long standing partnership with the provincial department. To date, the company’s PGM operations have donated 23 ambulances, 3 mobile clinics and 1 emergency response vehicle to enable improved health services,” she said.
Picture: A pregnant woman indulging in alcohol/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 September 2024- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has called on pregnant mothers to adopt a healthier lifestyle to ensure the good health of their unborn babies by refraining from consuming alcohol during pregnancy.
Lehari said this comes after the world observed World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day at 9:9am, on 9 September 2024, to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol while pregnant.
The theme for this year is: “FASD awareness month is “Everyone Plays a Part”.
“The theme, Everyone Plays a Part, goes beyond framing FASD as an individual issue. It is a call to action to support healthy pregnancies as the impacts of FASD matter to the whole community.
“The department continues to roll out health education to mothers and women of childbearing age in all communities to raise awareness about the consequences of FASD,” he said.
According to Lehari, through their healthy lifestyle programme, they want to ensure that every pregnancy and delivery is a safe and an enjoyable experience. He further said they are emphasising the need to care for the health of babies before and after birth to ensure that they have a healthy start to life.
“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as it is commonly known, is a severe medical condition caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause the child to have disabilities related to behaviour, learning and thinking, and physical development.
“The symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome vary from child-to-child, but are lifelong. There is no amount of alcohol that is known to be safe to drink during pregnancy. A mother who drinks during pregnancy places their baby at risk of FAS,” said Lehari.
He added that the alcohol the mother drinks enters the unborn baby’s bloodstream causing damage to the foetus. Lehari said such damage is permanent and irreversible.
“FAS children will have physical and intellectual problems,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari during his visit at Phokeng Forensic Pathology/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
4 September 2024- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said upon completion at the end of November 2024, the Phokeng Forensic Pathology with a capacity to carry around120 bodies, will be the biggest in the province.
Lehari, who was accompanied by senior management from both Bojanala District and Provincial offices, conducted oversight visits at both Phokeng Forensic Pathology, in Rustenburg and the Brits Forensic Pathology.
Lehari’s visit follows his initial intervention visit last month, when work was stalled due to community disputes and disruptions on site, demanding allocation of some work to locals on site. He further said the members of the local business community had disrupted construction work demanding 30% of the work.
“However, through our Kopano Ke Matla oversight programme, we have brought all warring groups together, including the contractor, CLO, local leadership and two business forums and commitment was made that there shall be no further disruptions.
“Today’s visit was a follow-up since intervention was made and it was intended to monitor progress registered, since all parties agreed to work together to complete the project on time. As of today, at least 75% of work has been completed,” said Lehari.
He added that Phokeng is quite an important project because it serves so many areas in the province’s biggest and busiest region of Bojanala.
“We owe our people this service and we need no more excuses to finish this project. It must be completed within the set time frame of a month.
“It’s important that we bring people real services, not lip service that will cost them more time and money. This mortuary should be operational in a month,” said Lehari.
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari during his oversight visits/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has conducted unannounced oversight visits at several health facilities across Moretele Local Municipality on 22 August 2024. Lehari, who was accompanied by the Provincial, District and Members of Clinic’ Committees , through his “Re Bona Ka Matlho”Oversight Programme, visited Swart-Dam/Rekopantswe Clinic in Swart Dam village.
He further engaged both the clinic management and members of the Clinic Committee focused on issues that need interventions to improve the provision of primary health-care services. Lehari added that issues raised includes the challenge of staff shortages, water and ablution facilities.
“This is one of the important clinics in this area and services a host of people. We need to improve both clinically and logistically, especially on the shortage of nurses. It is urgent and we will come back to ensure all issues are addressed within a reasonable period of time.
“The issue of water and ablution will be attended to immediately. We then proceeded to a 24-hour Mogogelo Clinic, in Mogogelo village. I was briefed about issues related to security postings. There is a need for a guard house, availability of store-room for medication, shortage of nurses and overall capacity of the clinic,” he said.
Concluding all three oversights, Lehari visited the clinic in Ratjiepan village. He was optimistic following his visits to all 265 clinics, 48 healthcare facilities and 19 public hospitals in the province.
“As the province, we are in the right trajectory. I have conducted oversights at at least three facilities in just a day. I sat and listened to management and most of the issues raised, were resolved immediately, in real-time.
“On issues related to infrastructure and shortage of personnel, I have given clear directives that they should be resolved within a reasonable time. We will hire over 100 nurses to capacitate our clinics. From my visits, they should be changes and bring about improvement in our endeavour to efficiently provide primary healthcare services to our people,” said Lehari.
He also thanked all nurses and staffers for their unwavering commitment and spirit of indefatigability, displayed amidst all challenges raised. Lehari committed that his administration will throw all its weight in support of staff and management of all healthcare facilities to enable them to executive their responsibilities.
The Guardian 