Question NW1953 to the Minister of Health
12 June 2023 - NW1953
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(a)What (i) were the reasons that patients at Katlego Hospital in Virginia, Free State, did not receive adequate nutrition at the facility for the months prior to February 2023 and (ii) steps has he taken to intervene in the matter and (b) in what way does he intend to resolve general nutrition concerns in the facilities in the province at large?
Reply:
a) (i) According to the Free State Department of Health there was no time where patients were left without food. However, there were challenges with the supplier who partially delivered few stock items on large quantity order which was placed on the 26 October 2022.
This supplier also decided to verbally cancel the order and refused to write a cancellation letter when a follow up was done by the hospital. This impasse therefore led to the hospital being unable to place a new order as this order was still active.
(ii) This matter was reported to Provincial Treasury and the incident number was issued. The Provincial Treasury was also requested to cancel the order for the hospital to create a new order. A process for a new order was re-initiated.
However other surrounding institutions have been assisting with the provision of food supplies and the hospital management is regularly monitoring food supplies to ensure that patients are fed.
(b) The Free State Department of Health has the following plans to resolve general food supply concerns in the facilities in the province:
- In the current financial year 2023/2024,the Free State Department of Health will screen and contract suppliers with good track record in this area.
There will also be alternative reliable suppliers list that hospitals can rely on in the event the contracted supplier fail in their contract.
END.