SEBOKENG – Sebokeng Hospital is making efforts to give patients a better experience, improve satisfaction, and lessen complaints through the launch of the I Serve with a Smile campaign.
The campaign is a Gauteng provincial government initiative to improve patient experience in public healthcare facilities by promoting a culture of empathy, compassion, and positive staff-patient interactions.
It encourages healthcare workers to approach their duties with a friendly demeanour and a focus on patient well-being. The campaign was launched to foster a more positive working environment.
Acting CEO of Sebokeng Hospital Dr Peter Motlhaoleng said despite challenges experienced, Sebokeng Hospital is committed to serving patients with a smile, fostering compassion, and improving patient care.
Dr Motlhaoleng said that he is aware of the various challenges that the hospital continues to face, including that of failing infrastructure. He urged staff to try their utmost best to be welcoming to patients and effectively communicate with them.
Various speakers asked for unity among the employees, saying that this would give a better outlook to people coming to the hospital to access services.
I Serve with a Smile champion Lerato Maggae urged employees at Sebokeng Hospital to treat each other with dignity and respect. Maggae believes that if fellow employees treat each other better, they will be able to extend this to patients and thus achieve the objectives of the campaign.
The highlight of the event was a speech from patient Gladys Malamba, who hailed the hospital for its service while she was pregnant. Malamba said that she had a negative outlook on the hospital from the onset.
“When I was told that I had to come here to deliver my baby, I was hesitant because of the service I thought I would receive. Little did I know that I would be given the best service.”
Malamba said that she had a different experience and thanked all the staff for serving her with a smile and for the successful delivery of her baby, who was delivered via a C-section.
