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 "A lot has changed, now the hospital is a human place" - and it's thanks to Dr Naing Soe 

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Soe found the hospital in a terrible condition.

"The hospital was dirty, full of cockroaches, chairs for patients were broken, staff had no fridges and the toilets had no seats," Soe said.

After making several changes in daily operations, Soe managed to save R8-million in two years.

He managed to reupholster the chairs, buy water coolers, renovate staff and patients' toilets, plant roses in the garden and erect awnings for staff cars.

This was done to keep patients "proud" of the hospital and staff "motivated".

With the equipment budget, he bought new digital X-ray equipment, a portable X-ray machine for immobile patients, a scanning machine and new wheelchairs.

Hospital management, he believes, is only a matter of "human common sense".

Dr Philemon Mahuma, a senior medical officer, said the CEO has "brought a breath of fresh air to the hospital".

"With excellent people skills and a humanitarian heart, he has befriended and won the esteem of all levels of staff, contributing to the amazing results we are witnessing," Mahuma said.

"In addition to being an experienced clinician, his handyman skills and humility . surprised many of us.

"The building is 100 years old and Dr Soe inspects it and is able to fix it without private contractors."

Eunice Khoza, who has been working in the hospital's kiosk for seven years, said: "A lot has changed, the hospital is a human place."

The hospital is in one of 11 areas identified by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi for the National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot project.

"If NHI comes here we are ready," said Soe.

The "non-negotiables" that Motsoaledi has said must be in place for NHI to work include cleanliness, good staff attitudes, infection control, decent infrastructure, equipment and medical supplies.

Motsoaledi last month advertised 90 CEO hospital posts to ensure that qualified medical and managerial staff are hired to run hospitals.

Soe, who is acting in his position, is hoping for a permanent position.

Health Department spokesman Fidel Hadebe said Soe is "a shining example of how things can be turned around by good management".

Comments

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Mon May 20 23:27:06 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 12, 2012

MommaC

What a great story.

Just goes to show what can be done when the right person (as opposed to the politically connected) gets the job. I hope Dr Soe gets permanent placement even if creating too few tenderpreneurial opportunities will probably count against him
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Apr 12, 2012

Legendkai1

well done Dr Soe.... a lot still needs to be done though.... please deal with the rude staff that work at government.... most of which work @ private hospital at night and they behave like nurses should behave
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Apr 12, 2012

Takutine

Refreshing news!!
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Apr 12, 2012

molefelives

Good one Dr Soe.
It should not come out later that all that is good now actually is fraudulent
Your brothers and cousins were given R8mil to do all that.
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Apr 12, 2012

TKay

Good indeed...now you must also tell your admission staff not to talk on their cellphones for minutes while they are busy with the admission of patients cause they end up making the que longer and making spelling errors
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Apr 12, 2012

iPhone4

What a refreshing article indeed. Give this man a permanent position.
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Apr 12, 2012

Shredder

Refreshing story. Now this is what I am talking about. These politically appointed guys are messing up our country.
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Apr 12, 2012

Santapola

I had an opportunity to work in this hospital and i must also praise this guy..as we speak the contractors are renovating the hospital and the staff is talking highly about him..well done Dr Soe
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Apr 12, 2012

tlebebe

A real GOD send.keep on doing the good work.
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Apr 12, 2012

TDK

Congrats Dr.
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