Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Dulandi Leech MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL
During a briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts and Finance in the Free State Legislature, the Auditor General (AG) revealed that the Department of Health has failed to act on its recommendations for the refurbishment of the Mantsopa Hospital despite numerous engagements.
The AG revealed that over R29 Million was budgeted for the refurbishment of the hospital, and a total of R27.4 Million of actual expenditure was incurred even though the required pharmacy and mortuary have not yet been constructed. This is a requirement for such a facility, one it may not operate without. Despite the project being completed in 2019, no value has been derived from the expenditure since the hospital is completely abandoned and patients from the area are still forced to use clinics and hospitals in other districts.
During a recent oversight visit to the hospital site, it was evident that the R27.4 million investment had been significantly vandalised; see here, here, here and here. This failure represents a great financial loss and a missed opportunity to improve the health and well-being of the community.
This failure also places an unnecessary burden on already under-resourced clinics and hospitals in the area, which could have benefited from the operation of the hospital.
The DA will pressure the department to investigate what appears to be gross negligence and hold those involved accountable. Where necessary, the political leadership and officials who are guilty of negligence must be held personally responsible for this gross waste of public resources.