PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to strengthening the Free State’s healthcare system, announcing a range of initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, expanding infrastructure, and increasing staffing levels.
Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Bloemfontein on Friday, she underscored the importance of accessible healthcare.
“No inclusive growth will be realised without quality healthcare. And we are edging closer to the goal of universal access to healthcare,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
Recognising that a shortage of healthcare professionals affects service delivery, the Free State government has ramped up recruitment.
In 2023, the province employed 1 232 healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, with plans to hire more in the upcoming financial year.
Additionally, the provincial government re-employed 1 112 contract workers in January after their COVID-19-era contracts expired in October 2024.
“Their return is a crucial step in increasing the provision of health services,” the premier said.
To enhance treatment for patients suffering from kidney-related conditions, the province has procured additional renal dialysis machines and installed renal water purification systems in hospitals.
Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital in Qwaqwa commissioned six dialysis machines this financial year, with a reverse osmosis water purification unit set to be installed upon completion of construction.
Boitumelo Regional Hospital now has 10 dialysis machines, two mobile reverse osmosis units and a reverse osmosis plant all in clinical use.
Letsoha-Mathae highlighted that medicine availability in Free State healthcare facilities remains above 90 percent.
However, she raised concerns over the cessation of USAID funding, which could result in the loss of 725 jobs across healthcare roles, including social workers, data capturers and cleaners.
“We will find innovative ways, working with the national Department of Health, to mitigate the impact of this decision,” she assured.
In response to increasing population pressures, the province is expanding healthcare infrastructure.
Several clinic projects currently under construction are scheduled for completion in the 2025/26 financial year, including Thandanani Clinic (Welkom), Rheederpark Clinic (Welkom), Borwa Clinic (Tweespruit), Clocolan Clinic (Clocolan), Dinaane Clinic (Thaba Nchu) and Valrok Clinic (Brandfort).
Hospitals, laboratories, neonatal facilities, renal units, maternity wards, pharmacies, mortuaries, theatres and heli-stops are also undergoing upgrades.
As part of the government’s commitment to extending healthcare access, several facilities now operate 24-hour services: MUCPP in Mangaung (maternity and emergency Services), Heidedal Clinic in Mangaung (emergency services), PAX Clinic in Viljoenskroon (emergency services) and Bolata Clinic in Qwaqwa (maternity services).
Lesedi Clinic in Kroonstad will begin 24-hour operations from April 2025.
With the Netcare contract at Pelonomi Hospital set to expire, the facility will be repurposed into a maternity ward by November this year.
This move is expected to relieve pressure on Pelonomi’s existing maternity services.
Acknowledging ongoing issues at the Bloemfontein Government Mortuary, Letsoha-Mathae stated that remedial plans are being implemented to address concerns.
The premier’s announcements signal a strong push toward healthcare improvements in the Free State, with a focus on infrastructure expansion, service delivery enhancements and workforce reinforcement to meet the growing demands of the province’s residents. – Staff Reporter