It seems the media can still be society’s watchdog and push the authorities into action. That’s my experience anyway, after two hospitals in Gauteng made significant changes after we reported on the rundown facilities. Edenvale Hospital sports a new guard tower in the parking lot and there is a near-absence of litter. What a difference. And while there were still a few hospital beds lingering curbside, they were in good repair. The wheelless gurneys were gone, too.
Hospital chief executive Dr Zakhele Zitha, who was on a walkabout of the premises at the time, confirmed this.He also shared that the facility will freely share information at any time. This was unexpected and refreshing.He said: “Staff need to know that we are not only there when there are challenges or to reprimand, but also as support structures.”
And while it is not the Ritz of healthcare, the differences between now and then at Edenvale Hospital are significant.The floors looked as if they had been freshly polished and the less than pleasant odours had been replaced by an antiseptic hospital smell.Edenvale Hospital is one of 10 facilities earmarked for a major refurbishment, said Zitha.Queues did not move too slowly and while the waiting room was near overflowing with patients, it seemed as if everyone was eventually seen to.