VaalRock Clinic in Brandfort was allocated a budget by the Free State Department of Health

Staff reporter

Qwaqwa – The community of Brandfort or Winnie Madikizela-Mandela town will breathe a sigh of relief following the announcement by Mathabo Leeto, the newly appointed MEC for the Department of Health in Free State.

Leeto who was sworn in last month replaced Montseng Tsiu after the recent reshuffle delivered her maiden budget vote at the packed Multi-purpose hall in Phuthaditjhaba.

Themed “The Year of decisive action to advance people’s Interests and save lives” the budget vote was linked to the commemoration of Freedom Day which is on 27 April 2023.

This year marks 29 years since the very first democratic election.

In 1994 the African National Congress had “A better life for all” as their campaign message for national elections but that is a story for another day.

According to Leeto, her department has been allocated 12.759 billion as follows:

• Administration: R552.145 million
• District Health Services: R5. 555 billion
• Emergency Medical Services: R907.849 million
• Provincial Hospital: R1.752 billion
• Central and Tertiary Hospitals: R2.954 billion
• Health Science and Training: R339.461 million
• Health Case Support: R179.670 million
• Health Facilities (Infrastructure): R738 951 million

Leeto said her department completed successfully 16 existing facilities in Thaba Nchu, Senekal, Virginia, Welkom, Bothaville Rouxville, and Parys among others in the previous financial years and this year, they will build two new clinics in Welkom, Smithfield, Theuniseen, Qwaqwa, Allanridge, and Bloemfontein to mention a few.

Over the past two years, we have consistently been reporting about the Vaalrock Clinic in Brandfort and how the community in that area continue to suffer since the clinic caught fire when a thug went to steal.

Brandfort community beg Free State Department of Health to use an abandoned building while it fixes the VaalRock Clinic

Leeto included Vaalrock in the eight clinics that will be built this financial year. The eight clinics have been allocated R704 639 000.00

We will embark on a journey across the province to monitor and evaluate progress on the reported completed projects and feedback to our readers.

The lowest point of Leeto’s speech under litigation was when she said “We take the courage of the latest Eastern Cape High court ruling on the future medical care costs”, this is shocking for a Health MEC to take courage from.

Context:

On 9 April 2018 the respondent, N H, instituted an action in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Bhisho (high court) against the appellant, the Member of the Executive Council for Health, Eastern Cape. The action was brought in her capacity and as the mother and natural guardian of ‘A’, a boy born on 11 May 2012 at the St Barnabas Hospital, Libode, Eastern Cape. The respondent, in her representative capacity, sued the appellant for an amount of R29 106 761.00 for damages, alleging that as a result of the negligence of the hospital staff, her minor child now suffers from cerebral palsy. Included in the amount was the respondent’s claim, in her capacity, of R500 000.00 for emotional shock, trauma, pain, and suffering.

The case was dismissed and the child is still suffering from cerebral palsy. Is this something to celebrate?

Is this what “The Year of Decisive Action to Advance People’s Interests and Save Lives” is all about?

It was the same Leeto while at Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation who announced the erection of a statue of former Lesotho Prime Minister, Leabua Jonathan and that statue cost tax payers R3.5 million and is still gathering dust because the Lesotho government rejected it. We have not forgotten.

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