Tembisa Hospital runs on empty

The Gauteng department of health is scrambling after it was revealed that Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital has not filled more than 100 vacancies.

DA Gauteng shadow MEC for health Jack Bloom raised the issue on Wednesday, outlining the 104 positions that exist within the facility’s nursing, medical, allied and support services.

Gauteng health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the hospital is currently short of at least 27 nurses, seven operational managers, six medical officers, four medical specialists, three unit heads and a head of department, among other critical positions.

Additionally, the hospital is in dire need of an EEG machine, an MRI, a pulmonary function unit, an anaesthetic machine and 10 ventilators.

Tembisa Hospital’s CEO was suspended in 2022 following allegations of the awarding of irregular contracts and the facility has been operating with an acting CEO since.

Whistle-blower Babita Deokaran was killed after attempting to expose alleged corruption at the hospital estimated to run into hundreds of millions of rands.

Nkomo-Ralehoko admitted the staff and equipment shortages were leading to prolonged waiting times, delays in diagnosis and limited treatment options.

The department said a recruitment drive was underway. “The department is working around the clock to fill all vacant posts.

“Already four medical specialists, two assistant nursing managers, a chief physiotherapist and four middle managers have been appointed,” it added.

Regarding equipment shortages, Nkomo-Ralehoko claimed a procurement process was nearing completion.