17 Jan 2017

Increased demand for services at Thamaga Primary Hospital has suppressed services to the already overwhelmed hospital which cannot cope with the current demand.

The hospital, which was built in the 70s to bring services closer to Thamaga residents no longer cope with the number of patients in need of health services let alone its infrastructure.

This was said by chief medical officer for the hospital, Dr Jacques Tshimbalanga during Thamag/Kumakwane MP Tshenolo Mabeo’s visit at the hospital on Monday.

Dr Tshimbalanga has therefore informed the MP that there were so many challenges they were grappling with, referring to some of them as ticking time bombs waiting to explode.

Chief among, them the doctor said was human resource as one of the issues that give them sleepless nights.  He said although human resource was the backbone of every organisation, the hospital was understaffed in many departments to a point where some officers double up in departments.

He explained that, they were short of revenue collectors, adding that the current administrator also acts as a revenue collector.  Also the chief medical officer has explained that there was shortage of midwives. 

He said eight midwives were transferred, while among them two passed on but were never replaced.  Again, he  explained that there was acute shortage of drivers, although their service was critical to the day to day running of the hospital.

Dr Tshimbalanga said the establishment register was outdated pleading with the MP to advocate for a new one, which could be adapted to the current situation.

The doctor further opined about shortage of space as the hospital was small and cannot match the huge demand for services.  The issue of space, he said cuts across all departments from wards to office space. 

He further pointed out that at the Out Patient Department, patients end up lying on the ground while waiting to be attended to.

Worse still, the doctor said the hospital does not have a space where they can isolate TB patients, adding “we wish we can have another hospital.”

On the issue of waste management he said, “It could be a nightmare if not addressed properly,” stressing that the waste they were dealing with was hazardous and infectious because it is human tissue. 

On top of that, he said they do not have a clinical waste vehicle and that they rely on the council.

Dr  Tshimbalanga further noted that sewerage waste problems is a bomb waiting to explode as the sewerage plant in the hospital was overwhelmed calling for it to be refurbished and probably have its capacity increased.  As a long term solution, he said there should be a sewerage pond as it can also service the village.  

On other challenges, he mentioned the boiler, which had not been working properly so that patients can have both hot and cold water.  The x-ray equipment has also been a nightmare saying x-ray services have not only affected Thamaga but it is now a nationwide crisis as x-ray equipment across the country is not serviced.

On a positive note, Dr Tshimbalanga pleaded with the community to bear with them but nevertheless promising them that as a hospital, they are committed to provide good quality services despite challenges.

For his part, MP Mabeo acknowledged challenges put forth and mentioned that, government was grappling with budgetary constraints.  However, he pleaded with the hospital staff to do the best they can with little. 

He also said that, even though there were challenges, there had been notable successes.  Going forward, he urged staff to come up with innovative ways of doing things and think outside the box. 

Nonetheless, the MP said the minister responsible was doing all she can to come up with solutions to these challenges.

Minister Mabeo ended his visit with a tour of the hospital where he donated blankets.BOPA