WILLOWMORE NEWS - The state of healthcare in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality has come under sharp scrutiny after DA Constituency Leader in the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal area, Samantha Graham-Maré, uncovered dire conditions during an oversight visit to the Willowmore Hospital.
This particular visit was in response to concerns raised by DA Councillors Japie Booysen and Ewald Loock, as well as Dr Tamsanqa Julius Hewu, acting CEO of the Willowmore Hospital.
In a letter to the regional office of the Department of Health, Hewu outlined a number of challenges, particularly relating to staff shortages at the hospital.
He explained the importance of the admission office where patient files are opened and kept, and revenue is collected.
According to him, this office is the face of the hospital where interaction with the public should be conducted with empathy and confidentiality, but, irrespective of this, no permanent staff member has been employed there since 2019.
Other staff-related challenges raised by Hewu included the temporary employment of agency nurses.
“Willowmore greatly appreciates this intervention by the district, but what will happen when the contract comes to an end?” For this reason, he implored the district office of the department to expedite the employment of permanent nursing staff.
Similarly, Hewu raised the employment of permanent doctors, including a clinical associate, as a matter of concern.
According to him, patient care is adversely affected by the shortage of doctors. He believes this shortage may lead to litigation against the department as it results in nurses being on duty without doctors at night.
He said that more assistance from the district office of the Department of Health is needed, particularly with the labour and employee wellness-related issues that have already been referred to the regional office some time ago.
In addition to the staff-related issues mentioned above, Hewu also appealed for the construction of housing for nurses, allied workers, and healthcare workers in general since, in his opinion, this would assist in alleviating the housing needs of these workers and increase the revenue of the hospital.
After her oversight visit, Graham-Maré confirmed that the Willowmore Hospital is operating under severe strain.
“There is a chronic shortage of nurses - only three doctors and three registered nurses are appointed.
They have two dental chairs, but no dentist.
There is no driver, and no patient administrator or food service aid is appointed.”
She noted, however, that the existing staff component is doing their utmost best to keep the hospital afloat.
“Our first impression was how clean the hospital is, despite having no cleaning or housekeeping staff.
In addition, the beds are all neatly made, despite a laundry roller having been broken for three years.”
Graham-Maré highlighted the fact that the Willowmore Hospital serves not only Willowmore itself but also Rietbron, Steytlerville, Baviaanskloof, and surrounding rural communities, but instead of being strengthened to meet this crucial mandate, it is being allowed to deteriorate.
“This is inexcusable and must be addressed as soon as possible,” she said.
“We will be taking this up urgently with the provincial and national departments of health, as well as the Sarah Baartman District office.”
Speaking to Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, Hewu readily granted permission for the publication of the content of his letter to the department, noting that any assistance in addressing the issues faced by the Willowmore Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
Media enquiries relating to this matter were submitted to the media liaison officer for the MEC of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Camagwini Mavovana, and the Eastern Cape Director of Communications, Siyanda Manana, early last week and their comments will be published as soon as they are received.
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