'Let Them Talk'
By Frans Sello waga Machate I Middleburg, South Africa
MIDDELBURG – As the gleaming new King Nyabela Hospital opened its doors today, traditional leaders delivered a powerful message of support for government's healthcare vision, urging communities to embrace the facility and reject those who "rubbish" the National Health Insurance (NHI) for selfish gain.
"We are here not to give a speech but a message of support," declared Kgoshi Mathupa Lameck Mokoena, President of CONTRALESA and Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, addressing the official opening ceremony.
The hospital, named after the revered Ndzundza Ndebele warrior King Nyabela, stands as a testament to government's respect for traditional leadership, Kgoshi Mokoena said.
Kgoshi Mokoena issued a challenge to those who flock to private hospitals: "The very same specialist you are running to, are the same ones working in this government facilities. So you must decide whether you want to go and spend money for nothing".
Minister Motsoaledi echoed this sentiment: "Those of you who believe they've got a lot of money and can only get their treatment in private hospitals because you are not overcrowded in the wards, just come and try here and see if there's any difference".
The new facility is so impressive that Kgoshi Mokoena called for it to be upgraded from a district to a regional hospital. "The way this hospital is so huge, deserves that in future MEC Sasekani Manzini and my Premier Mandla Ndlovu to be upgraded from a District to a Regional hospital. This infrastructure here qualifies for that upgrade".
Kgoshi Mokoena made an impassioned appeal to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi regarding the National Health Insurance, condemning critics who "are rubbishing NHI before it could even start".
"We know why they're rubbishing it, because they are the ones currently chewing the government money alone. They don't want us to get the decent healthcare treatment that we must get here in Mzansi".
He urged government to launch a "vigorous campaign to explain to all of our people how is the NHI going to help the ordinary citizens of this country".
"Most citizens still don't understand what this NHI is," Kgoshi Mokoena acknowledged, adding that traditional leaders had been thoroughly briefed by the minister. "That's why no one will stand before me and criticize it. I will tell him who they are and where to get off".
The traditional leader raised the urgent issue of long waiting times at public health facilities: "Most of the times our patients wake up very early in the mornings, go to medical facilities to queue the whole day without getting any assistance and get exhausted waiting until they go back home without having been assisted".
He humbly requested "that even the waiting period of those who are sick and need medical attention be shortened so that people could get help quicker".
Minister Motsoaledi issued a direct challenge to the hospital's management team, calling on the CEO, Clinical Manager and Nursing Manager to stand before the President and the community.
"The ball is in your court," the Minister told them. "Quite often, when the health Ombudsman gives reports about hospitals, they complain about management, they complain about maintenance of the facility, they complain about cleanliness. Those things don't rest in the hands of the President or the Premier or me or the MEC".
Recalling a disappointing visit to a similar facility in Upington years after its opening, Motsoaledi warned: "Any day we visit this hospital, I want to see myself in the floor. In other words, the floor must be like a mirror, it must shine."
Premier Mandla Ndlovu noted that the hospital will "reduce travel distances for patients and improve access to critical health care services within the community".
He also announced that 15 out of 15 healthcare facilities in the sub-district have achieved Ideal Clinic Status, with 93% certified by the Office of Health Standards Compliance.
The Premier concluded: "The opening of King Nyabela Hospital is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when government remains committed to improving the lives of its citizens. Together, we are bringing healthcare closer to our communities and building a healthier Mpumalanga for generations to come".
Kgoshi Mokoena offered his final words of encouragement to government: "Let them talk. Continue doing the good things President Ramaphosa, thank you!".
