During the sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality from 21 to 25 August 2017, the first day recorded some positive outcomes from commitments made after its previous visit in June 2017. In true NCOP style, members were decisive in their interaction with reports and presentations, and made sure that oversight was done with agility.

At the Bainsvlei clinic, NCOP members saw that the building had received significant upgrades, including to the drainage system, the walls and the installation of new carpets.

Mangaung Local Area Manager, Ntate KJ Khumalo welcomed the Members of the NCOP and the Free State legislature to the clinic. “I am pleased and humbled to present the status of our local facilities in the area of Mangaung before the NCOP,” he said.

He further acknowledged that challenges remain in some areas, despite progress in others. Priority health facilities visited during June included the Blomspruit, Fichardpark, Gabriel Dichabe, Getaway, Heidedal, Mabana and Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP) clinics, as well as a few within the Mangaung locality.

The administrative composition of these local health facilities in Mangaung was shared with Members. They consist of clinical support teams, school health teams, family health teams, clinical support units with their personnel and PHC facilities managed by operational mangers.

Ntate Khumalo further shared with the NCOP that in Mangaung they also service the immediate neighbouring farm communities at strategic points and this service will soon be boosted by the delivery of new multifunctional mobile health busses.

The briefing session at the Bainsvlei clinic ended with teams conducting site visits.

Mlungisi Maqubela
22 August 2017