New patient booking system will address challenges of overcrowding in North West health facilities
The introduction of Patient Booking System will assist in addressing challenges of overcrowding at health facilities in the North West province, said MEC Madoda Sambatha following three unannounced visit to hospitals in Wolmaransstad, Christiana and Schweizer-Reneke on Monday.
MEC Sambatha was met by unhappy patients at Nic Bodenstein Hospital in Wolmaransstad who said they have been waiting for hours at the hospital and are yet to be assisted.
“We cannot afford to have a situation where patients spend six hours at a hospital being seen by a doctor.
“We should be able to know who will be coming our health facilities especially those that are receiving regular treatment so we can prepare files for easy access to treatment. The Patient Booking System will help address issues of long hours wait,” he said.
The system was first announced by MEC Sambatha during his maiden budget speech last week. It will be put into place before end of the year, he said.
MEC Sambatha learned while at the hospital that the Maquassi Hills Health Sub District, Gateway clinic together with sub district pharmacy experienced challenges of space and moved to the hospital resulting in overcrowding. He immediately telephoned Ms Nela Mojanaga, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Chief Director to find alternative accommodation.
At Christiana hospital, MEC Madoda Sambatha was told that the hospital has no permanent chief executive officer, clinical manager and nursing manager. He was however told that the position of chief executive has been advertised.
“The situation cannot be allowed to continue as it compromises delivery of health services,’ said Sambatha, adding that he will engage management of the Department to prioritise the maintenance of health facilities as some of the facilities visited need to be refurbished.
His final unannounced visit turnout differently as he found hospital management waiting for him and lunch prepared. He decided to abandon his mission indefinitely and opted to tour the hospital. He was told that the hospital recorded only one maternal death since 2017.
Unannounced visit forms part of a commitment by MEC Sambatha following his appointment in December 2018 to unblock all health service delivery challenges in the province.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
