Staff shortages at clinics continue
Despite efforts by the health department, staff shortages in Mpumalanga’s health-care sector continue.

NELSPRUIT – Critical staff shortages in Mpumalanga’s health-care sector continue despite efforts by the department of health to appoint more staff. When Adv Thuli Madonsela, the Public Protector, visited Themba Hospital in KaBokweni last month, she reportedly commented that shortages at community health centres (CHCs) were the main causes of their poor functioning.
Of the 58 operational CHCs in the province, 19 are located in Nkangala, 22 in Gert Sibande and 17 in Ehlanzeni. In March, Mr William Lubisi, the speaker of the provincial legislature, in a written response to questions by Mr James Masango, DA MPL, said, “The department is in the process of filling critical vacant funded posts.
The CHCs that operate less than 24 hours will be fully operational as soon as appointment of full complement of staff is finalised within the first quarter of 2013/14.”
At the time, 12 of the 17 CHCs located in Ehlanzeni operated 24 hours a day, “in line with the norms and standard (operating hours) due to shortage of staff,” he said. According to Mr
Ronnie Masilela, spokesman for the department of health, Nelspruit CHC has been operating 24 hours a day since April. “It is well staffed and resourced and there are no shortages,” he said.
He also said that the lack of staff at Masibekela CHC in Nkomazi was a result of it being newly opened. “The process of appointing staff is underway,” he said. “We have advertised positions and are about to conclude appointments.” It is also operating 12 hours a day, up from only eight hours in March.
However, Mgobodzi CHC in Nkomazi as well as Dwarsloop and Hluvukani CHCs in Bushbuckridge still operate only eight hours a day. According to Lubisi’s report, it resulted in maternity wards and equipment being underutilised. These shortages put huge pressure on the public hospitals.
Masilela indicated that the process of filing vacant funded posts where they exist is well on course. He said that a CHC has been built in Thaba Chweu and it will become operational once it has been officially opened while a clinic at Themba was also operating for eight hours a day.