Tag Archives: the North West MEC for Health

North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari to conduct oversight visits at healthcare centres as part of Re Bona Ka Matlho programme

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Picture: Situation at Brits Forensic Pathology Mortuary in Brits

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said he will visit various healthcare centres across four districts as part of his Re Bona Ka Matlhoprogramme. Recently, Lehari conducted an oversight visit to the embattled Brits Forensic Pathology Mortuary in Brits. 

This comes after the National Education, Health and Allied Union (NEHAWU) raised concerns regarding a dire situation the mortuary found itself in. NEHAWU called on Lehari’s department to shut down the mortuary immediately and address the calamitous situation.  

Lehari said the union alleged that the mortuary is non-compliance to Occupational Health and Safety Act and lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He further said the workers also complained about the stench that is coming out of the refrigerator of the mortuary and over capacity of bodies, amongst others. 

“They demanded that a medical check-up should be arranged for workers working at the mortuary. Among those who were part of this oversight visit and a briefing on the status of the mortuary were the MMCs for Health Services from both the Bojanala District Municipality and the Madibeng Local Municipality, as well as senior managers of the department and the leadership of the labour union, NEHAWU both at provincial and local level. 

“Part of the already implemented interventions, is to immediately transfer some of the bodies to other private mortuaries, to relieve the current overflow, due to the fact that the Brits mortuary only has a capacitance of 120. Currently, deep-cleaning is taking place to resolve bad odour coming out of the unit,” said Lehari.  

He added that the oversight team noted that the overflow is mainly caused by the fact that Phokeng Mortuary is currently under renovation. Mothibedi said the other challenge is shortage of staff. 

“Unclaimed bodies also add to the overflow. There is also a tendency for families to not claim bodies which leads to the mortuaries having to conduct a large amount of paupers’ burials. Compounding this challenge is the fact that Bojanala is a mining area, hence many unknown bodies because of workers who come from far places. 

“The department has made a request to the South African Police (SAPS) for the burial of 88 unidentified bodies. Currently the department is being restricted by SAPS from burying as it awaits letters of permission for burial,” he said. 

Lehari noted a report and provided a way-forward as part of further strengthening of the intervention plans. He said he knows about the complaints which NEHAWU has raised.

“I take all these complaints seriously and we are here to provide solutions. We would like to assure every one of my commitment to finding a lasting solution. Therefore, we immediately called for a meeting with the departmental management, to close any gap in the intervention plan. 

“We considered the proposals made by NEHAWU and provide any further information for decision making. I promise to return to the mortuary within 8 days as part of his unannounced visits to health delivery sites,” he said.

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North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari urges managers to respond to challenges  

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari with his staff/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO  

The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said his department is one of the most important portfolios. Lehari said therefore, he encourages managers to work together and to always be on time when responding to challenges.

He further said as a hands-on leader, he also encouraged managers to proactively conduct oversight visits to all health facilities across the province. Lehari added that his immediate task will be to engage on support visit to health facilities.

“I have started his engagements with the management of the Department on 2 July 2024, during the Departmental Management Meeting held at Mmabatho Palms Resort in Mahikeng. This introductory session was also used to brief me on various programmes of the department and the men and women entrusted with the responsibility.

“I assured the management of commitment to health delivery and sound working relationship. When I work with people, I like peace because peace brings stability and stability brings unity. So, people should not have fear of the unknown just because there is a change in the administration,” he said.

Lehari also expounded on his ‘style of leadership’, which is people oriented. He said people who are leading must bring change and there should be no stress on people whom they are leading and they will be productive.

“There were only four programmes in my previous portfolio, while the North West Department of Health has eight huge programmes,” said Lehari.

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A R5m water project at Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg set to address water challenges

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Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha unveils water project

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Health, Mamdoda Sambatha said his department was at the brink of closing down the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, due to water scarcity. Sambatha said this comes after the projections of water deficit in the area.  

However, he said a R5 million water project that was recently unveiled at the hospital, will be a lasting solution. 

“Remember at some point, there was a possibility of closing down the hospital due to shortage of water. This comes after the Naledi Local Municipality failed to provide us with enough water supply. 

“In the process of looking for options for the availability of water, we then had to drill a borehole 2km away from the hospital. We decided this on the basis of the safety of our patients and staff,” said Sambatha.

He further said the borehole will ensure there is provision of water to the hospital. Sambatha added that, as they speak, they now have enough water supply in the hospital, including the reservoir. 

The Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton Groep said the source of clean water is fundamental in the success of any healthcare institution. Groep said the new borehole will ensure that the hospital has sustainable water supply, which is essential in providing quality healthcare to the patients and maintain a hygienic environment in the process. 

“In addition, we are also unveiling the newly-refurbished student accommodation. Education is the cornerstone of progress and by providing comfortable living space to our students, we are investing in the future of healthcare. 

“This accommodation will not only support our students, but also fosters a sense of belonging to the community. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who made this possible,” he said. 

The North West University’s Director of Pharmacy, Professor Jan Steenkamp shared the same sentiments. Steenkamp said water provision continues to be a mammoth task nowadays. 

“What can I say if I see a number of people in front of me facing challenges? We saw this morning that water is a major challenge for the hospital. What is all that about and what we are trying to achieve? We are here for our community and the betterment of their lives. 

“To better someone’s life, there is one important aspect, which is to have a community in good health and to render the needed services. One will need a number of things and one of them is water,” he said.

Steenkamp said no healthcare facility can function without water. 

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North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha refutes DENOSA’s allegations over unemployment of nurses    

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said there is no crisis over the unemployment of nurses in the province. This comes after DENOSA alleged that there are 200 unemployed nurses in the province sitting at home, even though they have completed the recruitment processes through interviews. 

DENOSA threatened to stage a sit-in at the North West Department of Health in solidarity, but postponed after consultative engagement with Sambatha. DENOSA provincial secretary, Mothusi Lebatle alleged that they have raised their frustrations with regards to the current situation. 

Lebatle said they need commitment from the department on when those who went for interviews will be appointed.

“We need to know when the advert will be released for those who will be completing comserve between January to June 2024. The circular that was released by the previous administrator saying RPLs should undergo the interview process be withdrawn.

“We want for the RPLs to have straight translation as they are already on the system of the department as employees. The department has confirmed that, there is R100 million allocated for appointments of nurses’ post that is under concurrence review between the Departments of Health and Treasury,” he said. 

Lebatle further said Sambatha requested to be given at least a week to engage with the departmental administration, so that they can finalise the administration issue and revert back to them with a positive answer. He added that Sambatha also agreed that the administration will deal with the advert for the post from January to June 2024.

“He agreed that RPLs should not be included in the interviews. However, the process of competence assessment will unfold between the employer and RPLs. It is with the above engagements that we decided to give the department a week of their internal engagements and revert back to us by or before 26 April 2024.

“With that, we are postponing and not cancelling the sit-in that was to take place on 22 April 2024, until the engagements with the department unfolds this week,” said Lebatle.

However, Sambatha refuted DENOSA allegations and said: “The department has had R150 million allocated for employment. However, that was revised because of new restrictions on appointments. Now, we have R100 million to appoint everybody this financial year as department.

“Therefore, the management has been given a responsibility by myself to prioritise critical positions that are vacant and appointed. DENOSA alleged that there were 200 unemployed nurses, but when I met with them, I told them that it is impossible.” 

Sambatha said DENOSA agreed with him because the nurses they are referring to are only 146. He said also, it is not 146 that are unemployed because most of the applicants are the departmental employees.   

“The selection process should be allowed to take its course and the fact of the matter is that, out of 146 individuals, 57 are not employed. The rest are the departmental employees. 

“The department has a program to empower its employees. So, employees who are working as general workers, including everybody who qualifies to do nursing, are taken in through the RPL program. When they complete the nursing course, they go back to their original positions,” said Sambatha. 

He said the difference is that these employees should be translated to upper positions that are dealing with nursing. Sambatha said those who are unemployed, are the ones who came from communities through the normal recruitment process. 

“The department long said that with vacancies it has, it can employ all 146 applicants. When you go and check medical doctors, it is 77 doctors who have given us indication that they have completed their community services and internship, now they are ready to be employed. 

“As we speak, 43 out of 77, have already been appointed. We are working with SAMATU to ensure that others are employed. Unlike in other provinces, there is no pressure in the North West. Shortlisting processes have taken place and normally the appointment should be done within three months,” he said. 

However, Sambatha said in this instance, they should consult the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Treasury.

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North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha refutes shortage of children vaccines allegations

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Picture: Shortage of children vaccines in healthcare centres in North West 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has refuted allegations that there is a shortage of children vaccines in various clinics across Mahikeng. This comes after SABC Newsreported that the alleged affected clinics were Magogoe, Montshioa Stadt and Gateway Clinic located at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital.

However, Sambatha said they suspect that there could have been a gap in the effective communication regarding the introduction of a revised Immunization Schedule that came into effect from January 2024. He further said his department has confirmed the ‘availability of children vaccines’ in all health facilities across the province. 

Sambatha added that, therefore, this renders the reported shortage of children vaccines as non-factual.

“Unfortunately, all efforts to establish the veracity of the allegations, proved futile as available data and interviews conducted, confirmed that there was never a period in recent times when there were no vaccines.

“The department can confirm that it managed to maintain a satisfactory level of children vaccines availability at above 90% average for ages at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 6 years, Grade 5 learners, 9 years of age and for 12 years old,” he said.

Sambatha said the introduction of the new schedule follows a phased in – phase out approach of new and old vaccines. He said according to the previous immunization schedule, children were vaccinated against Pertussis at the ages of 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks with a booster dose at 18 months. 

“The revised immunization schedule includes Pertussis-containing (TdaP) vaccines at the same ages with two additional doses at 6 years and 12 years of age. The revised immunization schedule also includes Pertussis-containing (TdaP) vaccines in the immunization schedule during pregnancy.  

“The new Tdap vaccine is already being ordered and issued to facilities in the province. There are currently a total of 7974 x TdaP vaccines in stock in the province, which is a sufficient quantity in the transitioning process to the Revised Immunization Schedule as introduced,” said Sambatha.  

Meanwhile, he said they have established a Medicine Availability Intervention Team, which has been given the responsibility of monitoring medicines stock levels. Sambatha said to date, the work of this team has been to assess and intervene in among others, the pharmaceutical supply chain issues, systems effectiveness, distribution and delivery processes, storage capacity, human resources capacity and on safety issues.  

“The assessment has been conducted across the province starting at the Mmabatho Medical Depot and moving into the pharmacies in hospitals and clinics. The intervention has immediately resulted with improved communication between the medical depot and pharmacy managers in health facilities. 

“This is important for speedy resolution of any bottlenecks in the distribution and delivery of medicine between the depot and health facilities. The intervention team has also identified short to long term plans like establishing mini-depots in the districts and opening of bulk pharmacies closer to the facilities,” he said.

Sambatha said the new Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Bulk Pharmacy that has recently been officially opened, will improve medicine storage and distribution capacity in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

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‘Provide more support to people living with epilepsy’

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha

By BAKANG MOKOTO  

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has called on communities and workplace environments to provide more support for people living with epilepsy. Sambatha the National Epilepsy week campaign, which runs from 13-20 February 2024, aims to raise awareness about epilepsy, dispel misconceptions and advocate for the rights and well-being of people living with epilepsy.

He further said the campaign will serve as a platform for individuals to share their experiences with epilepsy and promote understanding about this neurological condition. Sambatha added that, the public fear and misunderstanding about epilepsy persists, making many people reluctant to talk about it. 

“That reluctance leads to lives lived in the shadows, lack of understanding about individual risk, discrimination in workplaces and communities. People with epilepsy die prematurely at a higher rate compared to the general population.

“The campaign’s role in challenging superstitions and eliminating discrimination to foster understanding about the neurological condition. Despite affecting people worldwide, epilepsy still carries stigma,” said Sambatha.

He said what the National Epilepsy Week seeks to achieve is to eliminate misconceptions, encourage open dialogue and create a supportive community for people living with this neurological ailment. Sambatha said epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain that affects around 50 million people worldwide. 

“It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized). Sometimes it is accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

“Characteristics of seizures vary and depend on where in the brain the disturbance first starts and how far it spreads. Temporary symptoms occur, such as loss of awareness or consciousness and disturbances of movement, sensation (including vision, hearing and taste), mood, or other cognitive functions,” he said. 

Sambatha said people with epilepsy tend to have more physical problems such as fractures and bruising from injuries related to seizures, as well as higher rates of psychological conditions, including anxiety and depression. He said epilepsy is not contagious. 

“Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into categories such as structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. 

“Examples include brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight), congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations, a severe head injury, a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain,” said Samabatha. 

He said this includes an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis, certain genetic syndromes and a brain tumour. Sambatha said seizures can be controlled and up to 70% of people living with epilepsy, could become seizure free with appropriate use of antiseizure medicines. 

“Discontinuing antiseizure medicine can be considered after 2 years without seizures and should take into account relevant clinical, social and personal factors,” he concluded.

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More than 33 new babies born on New Year’s Day

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha welcomes newly-born babies/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said they have welcomed a total number of 33 babies across the North West on New Year’s Day. Sambatha said seven babies were born across the healthcare facilities in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 11 in Bojanala District.

“Ten babies were born in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, while five babies were born across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

“The first baby was born at Boitekong Community Healthcare Centre (CHC) in Rustenburg at around 00:01. It was an African female weighing at 3620g,” he said.

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