By MKHULULI NDAMASE
With Mthatha Hospital complex among four in the province with the highest number of litigation cases, health MEC Phumza Dyantyi has pinned her hopes on the newly renovated neonatal unit at the hospital bringing improvement – and in the process saving her department millions of rands.
Dyantyi, who officially opened the R14-million neonatal unit at the Mthatha Regional Hospital on Tuesday, hailed the 23-bed unit as a huge boost in her department’s endeavours to deliver quality health services.
She said the Mthatha Regional Hospital, Nelson Mandela Central, Butterworth, St Elizabeth in Lusikisiki and Dora Nginza in Port Elizabeth were the hospitals with the highest number of litigation cases.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch this week, Dyantyi said she wished there were funds available to revamp other hospitals as well.
“We will reduce the number of litigation cases because most of the cases come from neonatal care. Mthatha is one of four hospitals with the highest number of cases.
“But the opening of this new ward will definitely bring change and I am happy about that,” she said.
The Dispatch has reported how patients had successfully sued the department for millions of rands for medical negligence.
The opening of the ward is a welcome development as the regional hospital now boasts its own neonatal and paediatric unit with 20 nursery beds and three kangaroo mother-care beds.
This means only at-risk premature babies will be referred to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital, which previously offered all specialised services like neonatal care.
Mthatha Regional Hospital chief executive Thozama Madubela said the new unit would ease the pressure on the overcrowded Nelson Mandela Central Hospital.
She said the first babies weighing between 1.2kg and 1.5kg were admitted to the unit in April.
“The only babies that we refer to Nelson Mandela Central Hospital are sick babies – those born with problems.
“Otherwise, if it’s a normal premature baby it is kept at our neonatal unit,” Madubela said.
She said the regional hospital was hoping to appoint pediatricians and nurses by the end of June.
Pediatricians and gynaecologists would work together, which would result in early diagnosis and prompt treatment, she said.
Dyantyi also officially launched the Qokolweni clinic yesterday – one of eight clinics that are part of the National Health Insurance pilot project.
She said of the 145 clinics in the OR Tambo region, 45 already had contracted general practitioners.
“We are hoping that we will be able to contract others as well so that twice a week, there’s a doctor at the clinics,” she said. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
Great boost for hospital
With Mthatha Hospital complex among four in the province with the highest number of litigation cases, health MEC Phumza Dyantyi has pinned her hopes on the newly renovated neonatal unit at the hospital bringing improvement – and in the process saving her department millions of rands.
Dyantyi, who officially opened the R14-million neonatal unit at the Mthatha Regional Hospital on Tuesday, hailed the 23-bed unit as a huge boost in her department’s endeavours to deliver quality health services.
She said the Mthatha Regional Hospital, Nelson Mandela Central, Butterworth, St Elizabeth in Lusikisiki and Dora Nginza in Port Elizabeth were the hospitals with the highest number of litigation cases.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch this week, Dyantyi said she wished there were funds available to revamp other hospitals as well.
“We will reduce the number of litigation cases because most of the cases come from neonatal care. Mthatha is one of four hospitals with the highest number of cases.
“But the opening of this new ward will definitely bring change and I am happy about that,” she said.
The Dispatch has reported how patients had successfully sued the department for millions of rands for medical negligence.
The opening of the ward is a welcome development as the regional hospital now boasts its own neonatal and paediatric unit with 20 nursery beds and three kangaroo mother-care beds.
This means only at-risk premature babies will be referred to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital, which previously offered all specialised services like neonatal care.
Mthatha Regional Hospital chief executive Thozama Madubela said the new unit would ease the pressure on the overcrowded Nelson Mandela Central Hospital.
She said the first babies weighing between 1.2kg and 1.5kg were admitted to the unit in April.
“The only babies that we refer to Nelson Mandela Central Hospital are sick babies – those born with problems.
“Otherwise, if it’s a normal premature baby it is kept at our neonatal unit,” Madubela said.
She said the regional hospital was hoping to appoint pediatricians and nurses by the end of June.
Pediatricians and gynaecologists would work together, which would result in early diagnosis and prompt treatment, she said.
Dyantyi also officially launched the Qokolweni clinic yesterday – one of eight clinics that are part of the National Health Insurance pilot project.
She said of the 145 clinics in the OR Tambo region, 45 already had contracted general practitioners.
“We are hoping that we will be able to contract others as well so that twice a week, there’s a doctor at the clinics,” she said. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
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