Only two out of 32 hospitals in the Free State are compliant with the basic health standards of the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC). The provincial department of health revealed the two hospitals that received compliance certificates from the OHSC are the Botshabelo District Hospital and the Phekolong District Hospital in Bohlokong, Bethlehem.
The OHSC is an independent body and ensures that both public and private health establishments in South Africa comply with the required health standards. The certificates were issued to the respective health facilities on Thursday (15/06), following an inspection by the regulatory body’s qualified inspectors.
The provincial department has credited the two hospitals’ chief executive officers (CEOs), Dr Ariel Torres of Botshabelo and Phillip Radebe of Phekolong, and their respective teams.
“The hospitals’ compliance approval is no mean feat and certainly no child’s play as this recognition does not come easy. This achievement sends a crystal-clear message that what is perceived as impossible may be within reach,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson of the department.
The inspection revealed a worrying picture about the conditions of hospitals in the province. As such, Mathabo Leeto, the MEC of Health has committed to ensuring that the other 30 hospitals meet the basic health standards.
“These are building blocks to help us reach our set goals in this year of decisive action to advance people’s interests and save lives,” said Leeto.
Leeto has decried the slow pace of progress towards compliance by health institutions ahead of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill passed by the National Assembly into an Act of Parliament on Tuesday (13/06).
“This certainly challenges many health facilities to double their efforts to be compliant, now that the path has been charted towards an NHI future,” she said.
Mvambi said Leeto’s commitment to ensuring hospitals step up is also in line with ensuring public health facilities provide quality services and deliver on their mandate to the public.
“This is also to ensure public hospitals will be in line with the NHI and render quality services to the public,” said Mvambi.
