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Following reports that the maternity ward at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein has been closed due to low temperatures, the Department of Health told The Business Weekly that the ward is now open at the hospital.
The Department of Health issued a statement on Thursday, 10 July 2025, stating that the Department of Labour and Employment in the Free State issued a Prohibition Notice against the 21-bedded Maternity Ward at National District Hospital due to low temperatures.
According to the Spokesperson for the Department of Health in the Free State, Mr Mondli Mvambi, from that moment on upon receiving the notice, the Department of Health activated the diversion of low-risk cases to MUCPP, while high-risk maternity cases were moved to Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein.
Mvambi said the Department of Health is actively addressing the situation through the Infrastructure Unit of the Provincial Department of Health.
Reacting to this report, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State said they will write to the MEC for Health in the province, Mr Manyatso Mahlatsi seeking answers on this regard. Dulandi Leech, the DA Member of the Portfolio Committee for Health in the Free State Legislature said the Democratic Alliance will seek clarity from the MEC of Health on the department’s plans to ensure a fully operational maternity ward at the hospital, how long the ward will be closed and also how the department plans to mitigate the impact on services at spill-over hospitals, like Pelenomi.
Leech said the situation at National District Hospital raises serious concerns about service availability, patient capacity, and the impact on expecting mothers.
Mondli Mvambi confirmed to The Business Weekly on Monday, 21 July 2025, that the maternity ward has been opened in a warm area in the hospital, in ward 8 on the 3rd floor.
