Patients at Elim Hospital who have waited years for specialist care finally received treatment this August, thanks to the Rural Health Matters outreach programme. Thirty-six people had their sight restored, while dozens more received orthopaedic, gynaecological and general surgical procedures.
Now in its fifth year, the outreach brings specialists to communities with limited access to high-demand care, including ophthalmology, orthopaedics, general surgery, urogynaecology and gynae-oncology.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba marked her birthday by helping patients regain what she called a gift of "restoring dignity." She was joined by Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego and other officials. The event coincided with the 69th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March and the outreach programme's fifth anniversary, which Ramathuba had launched while serving as MEC for Health.
"I started having eye issues in 2021 and visited the hospital in 2023. We were told to wait as there were many patients. Today I am happy that I can see again," said one patient. Another, living with an orthopaedic problem since 2019, said her condition had forced her to stop working.
"If I've restored your dignity, you will remember that day," Ramathuba said. "Even if I come only in August, the MEC and team will ensure the project continues, because rural health matters most."
The outreach highlighted long-standing challenges at Elim Hospital, including ageing infrastructure and unreliable water supply. Six years ago, the hospital's first two boreholes stopped working, compromising hygiene, infection control and surgeries.
Ramathuba said R4 million had been invested in new equipment, but water supply remained a concern. "I am told there is somebody who feels they can open the water today and close it tomorrow. People here are struggling because this individual is powerful, with connections to chiefs, politicians, and others," she said. She promised to escalate the matter to the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) and, if necessary, law enforcement.
VDM spokesperson Moses Shibambu said the hospital was supplied with water, but "challenges arise when there are breakdowns on boreholes." He confirmed that some delays occurred when operators did not immediately switch pumps back on, particularly at night, and said the municipality was working with the Department of Health to manage supply. A permanent solution is expected in 2027/28.