The recent Public Servants Association (PSA) report highlighting non-compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital (JMMH) has sparked a wave of concern, frustration, and outrage among both community members and hospital employees.

Community members, healthcare workers, and union representatives have expressed disappointment in the hospital’s management, questioning why it took external intervention for some of the most basic healthcare facility standards to be addressed.

Community Reaction: “Our Health System is Failing Us”

Many residents of Vryburg and surrounding areas rely on JMMH as their primary healthcare facility. However, the conditions highlighted in the PSA report—including lack of ventilation, bad odours from the mortuary, unhygienic working conditions, and inadequate lighting—have left many questioning the quality of care they are receiving.

“If hospital staff are working in such conditions, imagine the kind of care patients are receiving. Hygiene should be the highest priority in a hospital, but clearly, that is not the case here,” said community member, Mr. Molefe.

Others were equally outraged that the hospital had not taken proactive steps to ensure compliance before the PSA intervention.

“Hospitals should not need to be told to clean their workspaces or ensure proper ventilation. This is common sense,” remarked Vryburg Resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

Local businesses and other stakeholders also raised concerns about financial accountability.

“Where does the money go? Every year, budgets are allocated for maintenance, but the conditions are still bad. We need real transparency,” said small business owner Ms. Masilo, who supplies equipment to local healthcare institutions in the North West.

Employees Speak Out: “We Work in Unsafe Conditions”

Hospital employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that many of the concerns raised by the PSA have been longstanding issues.

“The lack of proper hygiene, especially in critical areas like the mortuary, has been something we have been complaining about for years. It is demoralising to work in these conditions,” said one hospital staff member.

Others pointed out that while some improvements had been made—such as the burial of forensic corpses and the installation of basins—major issues like proper ventilation and emergency escape planning remain unaddressed.

“We appreciate the small changes, but these are just short-term fixes. If there are no real investments in infrastructure and maintenance, the problems will come back,” said another healthcare worker.

Hospital’s Silence Sparks Further Frustration

Adding fuel to the fire, JMMH management has remained silent and has not responded to media inquiries regarding the PSA report, from The Vryburg Independent Post Team (The VIP Team).

The Vryburg Independent Post submitted a media inquiry to the hospital, asking about their response to the allegations, budget allocations, and plans for long-term compliance. However, by the time of publishing, no response had been received.

This lack of communication is bound to led to more frustration within the community and employees.

“If they can’t even respond to questions, how do they expect us to trust them with our health?” asked one local activist.

Calls for Accountability and Action

With pressure mounting, both community members and hospital staff are calling for:

• Full transparency on the hospital’s budget allocations for maintenance and compliance.

• Immediate action to address remaining non-compliance issues.

• Regular inspections and reporting to ensure sustained improvements.

• A direct response from hospital management to the concerns raised by PSA and the public.

Local unions and advocacy groups have also urged the North West Department of Health to step in and ensure accountability at JMMH, emphasizing that healthcare workers and patients deserve better.

For now, the community waits. But as frustration grows, one thing seems clear: Vryburg residents and hospital employees will not let this issue be ignored any longer.

-The VIP Team

-PSA

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