Hon Deputy Speaker, the state of affairs at Boitumelo Hospital, serving the community of Moqhaka Local Municipality and Fezile Dabi District Municipality in the Free State, is a matter of serious concern. The conditions are well known to government, as the Free State MEC for Health visited the hospital on 12 March 2011. Since then conditions have sadly not improved. Patients can no longer be guaranteed quality and reliable health care services.
The DA is concerned that there is only one senior medical officer at Boitumelo Hospital, with one supporting junior staff member. It is impossible for only two doctors to perform the ward rounds, manage the outpatients clinic and do the referrals, as well as perform emergency and elective surgery. The DA is aware that a decision was taken to remove the last two intern doctors at Boitumelo Hospital, and no more intern doctors will be allocated to the hospital. In addition, only one anaesthetist is in the service of the hospital, which is insufficient for the needs of the hospital, resulting in the frequent cancellation of operations.
The maintenance of human health is important in order for South Africans to lead productive lives. The people being served by this hospital are being let down. According to the government's own plan of action regarding health priorities, the improvement of planning, development and management of human resources is a stated goal. The people of Moqhaka are waiting for that goal to be achieved. Thank you. [Applause.]