This was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko when responding to questions at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Tuesday, 06 June 2023. 

Sadly, some of the babies (1.5%) demised in the past three years (237 in 2020/21, 271 in 2021/22 and 280 in 2022/23) due to infections, immaturity related, hypoxia, congenital anomalies and other causes. Despite neonatal and maternity staff members responding to an overwhelming influx of patients the team has worked tirelessly to ensure 98.5% successful delivery rate. 

MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko gave an assurance that issues of resource challenges such as staff and equipment shortages at the facility have been prioritised. 

To augment existing posts, the facility has now filed 25 of the 32 posts that were recently advertised. Fifteen (15) professional nurses and 10 enrolled nurses started work on 1 June 2023. Three posts of enrolled nursing assistants are in the process of being filled with job adverts having closed last month, while TPTH is working on attracting four specialty nurses. 

Over and above the mentioned funded posts, the institution has submitted a motivation to create more posts in order for the hospital to be aligned with a tertiary facility human resources structure. 

Furthermore, in a bid to improve quality of care at Tembisa hospital’s neonatal and maternity department equipment like EEG machine, MRI scan, Ultrasound machine with Cranial and Cardiac Probes have been included in the 2023/24 demand plan and National Tertiary Services Grant business plan. The hospital continues to ensure that the procurement of medical consumables which requires regular stock is ongoing. 

Ends/ 

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health