Mphoko slams UBH CEO, board chair

ACTING President Phelekezela Mphoko has deplored the poor standards at the United Bulawayo Hospitals, slamming both the Chief Executive Officer, Nonhlanhla Ndlovu and board chairman Francis Chitehwe for failing to run the facility.

Mphoko said leaders must have the interests of people at heart and must respect those whom they serve.

This came out during a tour of two of the city's referral hospitals — Mpilo Central Hospital and the UBH.

At UBH, the Acting President did not mince his words as he told Ndlovu and Chitehwe that they were not doing enough to raise standards at the hospital.

Before Mphoko's address, Ndlovu had made a presentation of achievements made and plans for the future for the institution.

"Your presentation is very flowery but that's not the situation on the ground. It's totally different, we don't want this thing minister (addressing Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa). We want things to change not to take a defensive position," said the Acting President.

Mphoko said he witnessed the deplorable state of things at the institution a couple of times when he visited sick patients.

He singled out dirty linen among other things which needed to be addressed.

"Mpilo is totally different. I don't want to talk about it more, it's a challenge for you chairman and CEO. Please, if we don't tell you we don't love you.

Even if we don't tell you we have the powers to say minister investigate these people, we don't want to fire people," said Mphoko.

"I came here to visit companies to make sure they employ people and not fire people".

Mphoko said the Ministry of Health fell under his jurisdiction and he is very concerned with the state of hospitals countrywide.

"I came here and spoke to her (CEO) and I even spoke to you (board chair) but afterwards I started hearing stories," he said.

Mphoko challenged Chitehwe to make sure that staff at UBH work to improve conditions.

"I would want you as the chairman to make sure that you whip these people into line on behalf of the minister and on our behalf.
When you came into the board, you were chosen by the people so you must serve the people. Be hands on, take note of things at this institution, it's your role, go and work," said Mphoko.

The Acting President said when he brought in former politburo member Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu for treatment, he had no hope that he would be discharged due to the parlous state of the hospital.

"When you walk into a hospital you must see life not to see death. I brought in NK, he was here for three days and he was hopeless and said isibhedlela lesi angazi kumbe ngizaphuma (I'm not sure I'll make it alive out of this hospital)."

No human being can sleep in those blankets, people have to tell their relatives to bring those blankets from home, what of those without relatives?" asked Mphoko.

He said he still had a picture of the stained sheets he saw during one of his visits on his phone.

"We must make sure things change, do the right thing. Your role is to do what needs to be done. So work and work for the people," said Mphoko.

He also decried doctors' poor remuneration and challenged Health and Child Care Minister Dr Parirenyatwa to address the issue, which he said was behind the brain drain that has seen most general and specialist doctors going to the Diaspora.

Acting President Mphoko was accompanied by Minister of State in his office Tabeth Kanengoni Malinga, Minister of State for Bulawayo Province, Eunice Sandi Moyo and Health Services board chairman Dr Lawrence Mbengeranwa among other officials.