Ramathuba addresses shortage of hospital beds during unannounced visit

Jane Furse

Following numerous complaints raised by pregnant women who were sleeping on mattresses due to shortage of beds at Jane Furse Hospital, Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, paid an unannounced homage to the hospital on Friday 2 February.

However, according to Ramathuba, during the visit, her findings were different to what was raised by concerned pregnant women.

According to Ramathuba, all women had beds, however, in the previous night, two pregnant women arrived around 2am and beds were full, therefore, the midwives had to improvise.

Ramathuba said the other shortage of beds challenge was experienced on Wednesday 31 January when 15 pregnant women were admitted for elective caesarean sections.

“Jane Furse Hospital maternity is one of the busiest in the province where on average, they deliver around 400 babies per month. Their maternal mortality is one of the lowest in the province while their perinatal outcomes is also good. Unfortunately their good performance has resulted them in attracting patients from all over to want to deliver at Jane Furse and we need to discourage that by making sure all our facilities improve their performance. The other factors include accessibility in terms of transport hence patients prefer Jane Furse,” said MEC Ramathuba.

She said a temporary measure was put in place where an extra cubicle was identified and extra beds will be sorted and fitted in the identified area to address the challenge.

Meanwhile Ramathuba has on Tuesday 6 February handed over an assistive device in a form of a wheelchair to an 11-year-old boy who is diagnosed with microcephalus, an illness with severe spasticity of all upper and lower limbs. The wheelchair was handed-over at Ngwaabe Clinic outside Burgersfort.

The beneficiary was assessed by occupational therapist and dietician. He was issued Madiba Buggy size medium.