The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality hosted a successful Open Day at the Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Hospital formerly St Patrick’s Hospital, providing residents with a rare opportunity to engage directly with health professionals and municipal representatives.
The event opened with a warm welcome and prayer led by Miss Sifumba from the hospital, who introduced attendees to various departments, including the Thuthuzela Care Centre and other key services.
Representing the municipality, Mrs. Yonela Mgxiva officially opened the event, explaining the importance of community engagement in healthcare development.
Mr. M. Tshaka, CEO of Bizana Hospital, delivered a detailed presentation on the hospital’s progress and challenges. He announced the appointment of a new pediatrician and urged young people to stop pursuing illegal abortions, emphasizing the availability of free abortion services at the hospital’s Women’s Clinic.
“The hospital is meant for emergency care only,” Tshaka clarified. “It operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, while emergency cases are attended to 24/7.”
With more than 21 local clinics in the Bizana area, residents were encouraged to use their nearest clinics for non-urgent services.
During the program, Cllr. N.M Njomi expressed gratitude for the smooth organization of the event and acknowledged the presence of Link Pharmacy, among other stakeholders.
A powerful appeal was made by Ntandazo Sukude from the Bizana Disability Forum, who highlighted ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities. He criticized both the hospital and SASSA for inadequate service delivery, especially regarding the disability grant.
“People with disabilities deserve better care and attention,” Sukude said. “The current treatment from both SASSA and the hospital is not satisfactory.”
The event closed with calls for stronger collaboration between social services and healthcare departments to improve the lives of vulnerable community members.
