Hospital rescue plan
BHEKI Mlangeni District Hospital’s new acting chief executive, Dr Makabedi Makhetha, faces challenges head-on to change perceptions of the scandal-riddled hospital.
The hospital in Soweto has been in the media for all the wrong reasons this past year, including cash-for-job scandals, negligence claims after a 78-year-old man was stabbed by a psychiatric patient, and the community’s call to remove the then chief executive, Ruth Mabyana.
Makhetha has been the acting chief executive at the hospital since November 2020, after Mabyana was suspended for the second time.
Makhetha told The Star that her tenure had been very interesting and her reception had been positive.
She said the hospital had a competent staff that was willing to work hard.
“The most challenging issue was building good relations among the team, through continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders,” said Makhetha.
Under her tenure, Makhetha said, management had visibly improved, daily rounds in the hospital and internal and external communication with stakeholders had improved and a quality assurance manager had been appointed.
With regard to the safety of patients, a major concern among community members, Makhetha said security at the hospital had been beefed up.
“Both cases have been investigated and the necessary steps were taken, such as beefing up physical security and the installation of cameras. More staff members have been added to the affected units, including doctors that are skilled in psychiatry.
“There’s also a plan to upgrade the ward in line with the Mental Health Care Act,” she said.
The Independent Liberation and Allied Workers’ Union (Ilawu), which has been at the forefront of highlighting the issues at the hospital, said there had been some notable changes at the hospital since the arrival of the new acting chief executive.
Ilawu general secretary Siphamandla Masimula said among the notable changes was staff unity, adding that since Makhetha’s appointment not a single incident had been reported.
“We hope that the new MEC, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, will consider appointing the acting CEO on a permanent basis, given the foundation that she has been able to lay,” said Masimula.