Question NW426 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

a) The total costs that have been incurred since its opening in 2014 to transport patients to Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein for operations is estimated at R 58 152 804. This is calculated based on Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS) rates applicable for externally funded patients for 5514 cases (High risk patients including 1521 maternity patient transfers that were to be operated at Senorita Nhlabathi District Hospital) at a cost of R 9 484 763, 65 transported since 2014 to 2024.

b) Senorita Hospital is based in the rural area, classified as a small district hospital and offers a comprehensive district hospital package of services. Due to challenges associated with the rural nature of the District where the hospital is placed, the district hospital experience difficulties in attracting and retaining medical professionals thus affecting consistency of conducting operations at Senorita District hospital. See table below comparing the cost of transferring patients from Senorita District hospital to Pelonomi Hospital.

The department remains committed to improving the health of the population being served by the hospital. More than consideration of the costs the Department is concerned about saving the lives of the users. According to the referral pathway the hospital should refer high risk patients to Dihlabeng Regional Hospital which is 200 km but due to longer distance and very poor condition of the road, the hospital refer their high risk patients and maternity cases to Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital which is closer by 130 km away. Additionally contingency measures put in place are that all the elective operations from Senorita hospital will be conducted by mainly community service medical doctors appointed by Senorita Nhlabathi District hospital on a shift basis at Moroka District Hospital which is 70km away and Botshabelo District hospitals which is 100 km away from Senorita district hospital.

Patients Transferred 2014-2024	Cost of Transport 2014-2024	Job Title	Notch	Cost
X 3993 High risk patients	R48 668 040,35	X 3 medical Doctors	R906 540.00	R3 725 879
		X3 Theatre Nurse(PNB1)	R431 265.00	R1 772 499
X 1521 maternity patients	R9 484 763,65	X2 Professional Nurse (PNA2)	R293 670.00	R804 656
		X 3 Staff Nurse	R199 725.00	R820 870
		X 1 Porter	R147 036.00	R201 439
Total transferred 5514	R58 152 804	X 1 Cleaner	R125 373.00	R171 761
GRAND TOTAL	R58 152 804.00		R7 497 104 p/annum

END.