Health ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba has recommended that Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital get a new CEO.
The report said a new CEO should be appointed within three months.
This comes after an investigation was launched into the hospital following reports that a pregnant patient had to sleep on the floor.
Report to Rahima Moosa Hospital released
The ombuds team interviewed more than 30 people during the investigation. It also uses video footage and the contribution of Dr Tim De Maayer, who wrote an open letter criticizing the health conditions provided at the hospital.
The pediatrician was suspended for blowing the whistle on the poor conditions the mother and child suffered at the hospital.
ALSO READ: Suspension revoked for doctor who blew whistle at state Rahima Moosa Hospital
The CEO is neglecting his duties
Presenting the results of the report on Tuesday, Makgoba stressed that expectant mothers were forced to sleep on hospital floors. It was also found that the CEO had neglected his duties because he was not working full-time at the hospital.
The report also stressed that the well-being of patients and health practitioners in hospitals was severely compromised.
“It is also clear that the treatment at Rahima Moosa Hospital is not respected,” he said.
Makgoba said the CEO, Dr Nozuko Mkabayi, is off work for 27 days in 2021 and 72 days in 2022.
Mkabayi currently works in the Gauteng Department of Health office.
The Health Ombud recommended that disciplinary proceedings against Mkabayi should be carried out.
Corruption can be a problem
Makgoba also suspects that corruption in the hospital has led to staff shortages and “supply chain problems”.
The report said the maintenance of hospital infrastructure and sewage systems needed to be improved. Leaking pipes and clogged toilets are some of the problems caused by this.
“There is no continuous maintenance of hospital infrastructure, despite budget allocations, personnel and apparent needs,” the report said.
The report also found that the hospital’s laboratory and blood service were not operating 24 hours a day, and security was not up to scratch, with staff being robbed on hospital grounds.
Also read: WATCH: Heavily pregnant woman sleeps on hospital floor Rahima Moosa
The Gauteng Department of Health responded
Responding to the report, the Gauteng Department of Health said it accepted the findings and would look at “putting together an implementation plan to address the issue”.
“The department has started to act on some of the issues recommended by the Office of the Health Ombudsman, including moving Mother and Child Hospital CEO Rahima Moosa out of the hospital, among others,” Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said.
The department also said it would provide periodic reports to the ombudsman on the progress made.