Premier Maqueen visits Matjhabeng hospitals

Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae continued with her inspections of the state of health care facilities in the province.
She visited Bongani district and Virgina hospitals respectively. On arrival at Bongani, the first of the two facilities she visited, Premier Letsoha – Mathae took time to talk to patients, whose complaints ranged from long waiting hours to shortage of personnel to help them.

While all this was taking place, Ntate Seshupo Ditalame looked on with a stern look on his face. Clad in a brown woollen hat to combat the bitterly cold Welkom weather, Ntate Ditalame finally caught the attention of Premier Letsoha-Mathae. “Ntate, why are you looking at me so sadly?” queried the Premier.

In a raspy, yet imposing voice, Ditalame responded: “I am not sad Premier. I am looking at you and cannot help but admire your hard work and genuine care for the people. I wish you strength in your journey,” said Ntate Ditalame. With hands put together, the Premier bowed and mouthed off a silent “thank you” to Ntate Ditalame of Theunissen.
Flanked with the hospital management, MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula and the MEC for Health Monyatso Mahlatsi, the delegation made their way into the hospital reception area. Dozens of patients seized the opportunity to air their frustrations to the Premier and MECs. Their complaints were that clerks were not helpful and slow to assist them.

Premier attempted to ascertain from the clerks if that was true. A middle-aged woman, also a clerk at the hospital, arrogantly interrupted Premier Letsoha-Mathae as she was talking to the rest of the clerical staff. Repeated pleas from hospital management and MECs for her to allow the Premier to speak fell on deaf ears as she continued interjecting the Premier.

Her behaviour finally got the Premier’s goat. “I am extremely upset with this type of behaviour. Our people have been complaining about the conduct of the staff, and I saw it first hand from the lady. It is clear that such people have no love for the people and are simply here to collect a pay cheque. Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” the Premier fumed.

The delegation then left for Virginia hospital where staff also had an opportunity to raise pressing matters with the leadership. “We encourage you to tell us issues that prevent you from optimally performing your duties, so that we are able to assist you. Our aim is to improve the services we render to our people,” she said.