A Free State hospital that fared the worst in the country is now delivering health services to patients in the Xhariep district while a newly constructed hospital – just 70 kilometres away – has been gathering dust for years.
A report, published in April this year, by the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC), found that the Diamant Regional Hospital in Jagersfontein performed the worst during inspections at hospitals in the country.
But, Free State Health MEC Butana Komphela says this hospital is capable of handling the health care demands of the community in this district, while the brand new Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg – just kilometres away is gathering dust for more than three years. The provincial health department cited several reasons – such as a faulty sewerage system – for the delay in opening the R380m hospital.
He said, in a written answer to a question in the legislature that in drastic instances the referrals are transferred to Bloemfontein.
Cathy Dlodlo
