Witrand hospital is one of the two Specialized Hospitals providing psychiatric, intellectual disability, physical medicine and rehabilitative services for the entire North West Province. It focuses on the management of Specialized Hospital Care Services and quality of care through the optimal usage of available resources guided by relevant protocols and standard operating procedures.

The Hospital was built around 1924 and turned 101 years in September 2024 and is 275 hectors in size. As part of the oversight to plan, direct, co-ordinate and manage health facilities effectively, the Hospital has systems and processes in place to effectively monitor provision of services and implement escalation protocol from time to time.

The following issues which were raised by SABC Media House are similar to issues that were previously also raised by one Union in June 2023, August 2024 and the recent inquiry. The progress and engagement around these matters were done through the recognized structures which is the Labour Forum and detailed engagements were done.

1. ALL MACHINERY, INCLUDING BOILERS, LAUNDRY AND CLEANING EQUIPMENT ARE NOT WORKING

1.1 Status of Boilers The Hospital is operating with two Coal-fired Boilers to provide steam for all areas within the hospital and is refurbished as a major capital planning project (IDTS). The boilers bid has been advertised and there were no responsive bidders. It was then re-advertised in April 2025 for appointment of a service provider with a closing date of 9th June 2025. To mitigate this risk, Management procured 43 geysers to provide hot water for bathing of patients.

1.2 Status of Laundry Machines The Laundry is operating with three (3) big and other small machines for laundering services including washing of linen and patient clothing. Currently the Laundry Department is functional and is dispatching linen and clothing as per schedule to various wards and areas in the hospital. The non-functional machines will be repaired in 2025/2026 financial year. The Laundry machines like any machinery is bound to break from time to time, and are repaired within the available budget. If there are challenges within Laundry services the Management activates a contingency plan to request assistance of laundering services around the District and Province. The Hospital also utilize overtime for staff to assist with laundering services including washing privately within available budget. Klerksdorp / Tshepong Hospital Complex where the Central Laundry is located also assist with laundering services during and after hours.

1.3 Status of Cleaning Equipment

The Cleaning Equipment is not adequate, however the hospital is allocated budget every financial year to procure cleaning equipment as per demand plan. If there are challenges with budget the matter is elevate to the Province for financial assistance.

2. LACK OF ADEQUATE FOOD AND TOILETRIES 2.1 Status of Food Items Provisioning of food for patients is as per the menus determined by the Dietician according to patients’ therapeutic diets, namely puree, soft and diabetic diets. Catering services is outsourced and budget is allocated to Facilities as part of contractual obligations. The Province also assist if there are challenges of food item availability and submission of financial risks. Special provision to deviate to buy out of contract as approved by the Head of the Department. The allegations of patient death due to unavailability of food need to be confirmed by clinicians who has the expertise to diagnosis and confirm the death of a patient, however the last time Witrand Hospital experienced food shortage was in March 2024 and a contingency plan of deviation from the Service Level Agreement was approved and the Hospital bought the necessary items. Not a single day went by without patients getting food. As indicated in the video which went viral regarding patients being fed viennas, the Hospital want to state under record that the picture circulated are old as 2022 and in the current Service Level Agreement there is no processed food as part of the menus for Witrand Hospital.

2.2 Status of Toiletries During the months of August 2024 and January 2025 the Hospital experienced shortage of toiletries due to budget constraints. Management took a decision to borrow from a neighbouring hospitals and sourced more funding from the Province for procurement of toiletries and were delivered. Currently toiletries are available in the Hospital.

3. POWER OUTAGES From time to time the Hospital experience some power outages due to the old network reticulation which is attended to by Management and the Province (IDTS) and the Hospital Management is aware of the challenge and is doing everything in their power to restore electricity within the Hospital. Currently IDTS is on site with three (3) rented generators to connect all areas without power whilst finalizing for a permanent solution which is at an advanced state. Already two (2) wards are connected to the generator while the others remaining areas the Service Provider is busy connecting to two (2) other generators. All areas will have power by the end of the day.

4. ALLEGATION OF MISUSE OF PERSONAL PRIVATE FUNDING The funding referred to is not a “Personal Private Funding”, but rather referred to as “Private Patient Funding” (PPF). The fund is an initiative of the Patient, Parents and Friends Association which were initiated long time ago to cater for smaller patient needs. The management of the fund was the responsibility of the association and not Witrand Hospital Management, where the treasurer was appointed by the Parents to manage the fund. The then treasurer of the fund will be able to provide clarity on the status of the funds. No Manager of Witrand Hospital is a signatory to the fund. It need to be noted that the services provided to in-patient or any out-patient is the responsibility of the Hospital within the allocated budget. So PPF should not be mistaken that it replaces the budget of the Hospital. The current status of the fund is not known to the Management of Witrand Hospital, thus the allegation of money laundering, corruption and mismanagement is unfounded until it is proven. The Hospital recommends that a formal investigation within the Fraud and Ethics prescripts be initiated which will assist to proof the credibility and truthfulness of the allegation. The issues raised as allegations in line with the Department escalation protocol, procedures and processes are dealt with and progress from time to time is shared.

5. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Human Resource Management provision is one core element that supports patient care. Witrand Hospital is recruiting and appointing staff on the basis of the approved Organogram of 2007 which is currently under review and is at an advanced stage to be finalized. The Hospital is functioning with an approved structure of 1024 and 82.8% of these posts are filled vs the vacancy rate of 17.2% which has significantly improved over the years. The Hospital has filled all the advertised replacement posts from 2022 till 2024 whilst the process of advertised posts for 2024/2025 is underway. As part of Human Resource Management processes and Top Management Agenda Items, Exit Interviews are discussed and interventions planned around issues that are within the confines of the Hospital as others leave due to personal reasons. Not all employees that are leaving are completing the Exit Interview forms. The report is also discussed in the Institutional Review Meetings on a monthly basis.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries: Mr Tshegofatso Mothibedi (Departmental Spokesperson) 073 503 5045 | +27 662609496

Or

For further information: Mr. Tebogo Lekgethwane (Director: Media and Communication) E-mail: NWHealthquiries@nwpg.gov.za ISSUED BY THE NORTH WEST DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH