MEC apologises about hospital

Government NW Province — 06 July 2012

Left: Northwest Health MEC Dr Magome Masike greets a patient in the current Brits District Hospital.

North West Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike paid an unannounced visit to the Brits District Hospital on Tuesday in an effort to improve delivery of health services following allegations of corruption, poor state of service, nepotism and complaints from staff and patients.
MEC Masike during his visit made it clear that he does not like the makeshift Brits Hospital and apologized to patients for having to endure the distress while contractors are battling to complete the new Brits Hospital.
“I know being in a hospital is stressful in itself and we shouldn’t be adding more and for that I apologize. I am aware of the complexities and many challenges within this hospital. I will use every available means to ease the situation but you need to bear with us while we sort the situation out. It won’t be easy; however, with all working together and supporting one another, a success story can be told” MEC Masike told waiting patients.
Brits Hospital was demolished in 2008 to make way for the new hospital. The 36 bed makeshift hospital serves a population of over 300 000 and it experiences overcrowding daily and offers no critical services like neonatal, burns and maternity. Patients who are in need of unavailable services are being transferred to nearby health facilities.
Despite overcrowding challenges the hospital managed to survive at least two epidemics like Cholera in March 2009, Measles in December 2009 and the recent suspected meningitis outbreak.
The MEC also visited the new hospital premises. He said he was impressed with the architect and contractor’s work as only the best was good enough for residents of the area.
The new hospital will boast state of the art technology and the MEC pledged his undivided attention to improve and accelerate access to health services delivery in the area by applying pressure on contractors to hand over the 215 bed hospital to the Department by end of February 2013.