Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has officially announced that all healthcare services at Tembisa Hospital are now fully operational, following a period of disruptions that had affected patient care and service delivery. Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, the MEC assured the public that the hospital is functioning at full capacity, with all clinical departments, emergency units, and outpatient services back in service.
The announcement comes as a significant relief to the Tembisa community and surrounding areas, where residents rely heavily on the hospital for essential healthcare services. In recent months, the hospital had faced various challenges including infrastructure issues, staffing constraints, and administrative disruptions that led to reduced service levels and increased pressure on neighboring health facilities.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasized that the hospital has undergone a rigorous recovery and stabilization process, supported by the Gauteng Department of Health. The process included urgent maintenance work, improved supply chain systems, temporary staff reinforcements, and strict monitoring of service delivery benchmarks.
We are pleased to report that Tembisa Hospital is now fully functional and delivering services as expected. All departments are open and equipped to provide care to the community, said Nkomo-Ralehoko. Our priority has been to ensure patient safety, staff support, and operational excellence.
As of this week, the following key services are confirmed to be operational:
Emergency and Trauma Unit: Now operating 24/7 with full medical and nursing staff.
Outpatient Clinics: All specialist and general outpatient clinics have resumed normal appointments.
Surgical and Medical Wards: Inpatient capacity has been restored, and scheduled surgeries are proceeding.
Maternity Services: Labour wards, antenatal clinics, and neonatal units are fully functional.
Pharmacy and Diagnostic Services: Including radiology, pathology, and pharmaceutical dispensing.
Hospital CEO Dr. Dineo Mofokeng credited the hospital’s staff for their resilience and commitment during the recovery period. Our teams have worked around the clock to get back on track. We are now focused on maintaining consistency in service delivery and regaining public trust, she said.
The Department of Health has also committed to ongoing community engagement through health forums and feedback mechanisms to ensure that patients’ voices are heard. Regular inspections and performance audits are being instituted to ensure sustained quality of care.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko also used the opportunity to appeal to community members to use hospital services responsibly and report any concerns directly to the hospital management or the department’s hotline.
Tembisa Hospital has faced increased scrutiny over the past two years following several high-profile incidents and media reports concerning administrative irregularities, overcrowding, and staff shortages. These issues triggered public concern and calls for urgent intervention from both civil society and provincial lawmakers.
Earlier in 2024, portions of the hospital experienced intermittent service delivery interruptions due to infrastructure failures and procurement delays, resulting in longer waiting times and patient diversions to other facilities.
The Gauteng Department of Health has pledged to ensure that Tembisa Hospital does not face similar setbacks in the future. Plans are underway to upgrade infrastructure, digitize administrative systems, and strengthen hospital governance. We are turning a new page at Tembisa Hospital, said Nkomo-Ralehoko. This facility plays a critical role in our provincial health system, and we are committed to supporting it with the resources, personnel, and oversight it deserves.
Residents are encouraged to return for routine and urgent care as needed, with assurance from health officials that services are now reliable and safe.
