Gauteng Health’s MEC has admitted Tembisa Hospital is struggling to provide services to patients, thanks to 104 vacancies and a critical lack of equipment, but said a recruitment drive was under way and it was “working around the clock” to fill crucial posts.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the facility was short of at least 27 nurses, seven operational managers, six medical officers, four medical specialists, three unit heads and a head of department, among other positions. Additionally, it desperately needs an EEG machine, an MRI, a pulmonary function unit, an anaesthetic machine and 10 extra Bellavista ventilators.
The Citizen reports that since 2022, when the hospital’s CEO was suspended after allegations regarding the awarding of irregular tenders and contracts, the facility has been operating with an acting CEO.
Whistle-blower Babita Deokaran was murdered after attempting to expose corruption at the hospital, estimated to run into the hundreds of millions.
Nkomo-Ralehoko conceded that the staff and equipment shortages were affecting patients, leading to prolonged waiting times, delays in diagnosis and limited treatment options.
However, the department claims to have already filled five medical officer positions, as well as two operational manager positions. Three administrative positions have also been filled, while interviews have been conducted for 16 more admin posts, along with 12 cleaning roles.
Also already appointed were four medical specialists, two assistant nursing managers, a chief physiotherapist and four middle managers.
“The procurement of a pulmonary function unit, an EEG machine and an MRI machine, has been completed, and delivery scheduled, and a transport ventilator and the Fabian Therapy machine have already been received,” the MEC said.
Provision had also been made for extra theatre tables, anaesthetic machines, and standby ventilators.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
‘All systems go’ for SIU Tembisa Hospital probe
Tembisa Hospital tender prices were upped by 2 000%
R250m Tembisa Hospital syndicate still scoring tenders