In a bold step to tackle healthcare challenges in QwaQwa, Free State Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi is set to hold consultative meetings with
traditional leaders on 23 June 2025.
These talks, planned with Morena oa Batlokoeng and Morena oa Bakoena, will focus on gathering ideas to improve healthcare services and boost community health outcomes. The initiative reflects Mahlatsi’s commitment to working closely with community leaders to address pressing health issues in the region.
A Fresh Approach to Healthcare Challenges
Monyatso Mahlatsi, recently appointed as the Free State MEC for Health, is hitting the ground running. With a background as a union leader, he brings a unique viewpoint to his role, having once fought for workers’ rights. Now, he’s on a mission to fix the province’s struggling health system. The Free State health department has long faced problems like too few healthcare workers, tight budgets, and crumbling infrastructure. In QwaQwa, a rural area, these issues are even tougher, with limited access to clinics, not enough doctors or nurses, and cultural habits that sometimes stop people from seeking care.
Despite a health budget of R14.1 billion for 2025/26, money remains tight. Yet, Mahlatsi is determined to make the most of it. He sees traditional leaders as key partners in turning things around. “The Free State MEC for Health, Mr. Monyatso Mahlatsi, will hold a series of high-level consultative meetings with Traditional Leadership in QwaQwa on Monday, 23 June 2025,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health. “These engagements aim to gather insights from traditional leaders regarding healthcare services within their jurisdictions, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that exist in the community and how these can be unlocked towards better health outcomes.”
Meeting Schedule: A Packed Day of Talks
Mahlatsi has a busy day lined up on 23 June 2025. Here’s the schedule:
09:00: Meeting with Morena oa Batlokoeng (Morena e Moholo Morena Montoeli Moota) at the King’s Palace
12:00: Meeting with Morena oa Bakoena (Morena e Moholo Morena Mopeli) at the King’s Palace
Afternoon: Meeting with the Management of Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital at the Hospital’s Boardroom
These meetings are a chance to sit down with influential community figures and hospital leaders to talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it.
Key Focus: Healthcare, HIV, and TB The talks will zero in on three big areas: improving healthcare services, making life better for the community, and stepping up the fight against HIV and TB. The Free State is part of a national push called the 1.1 million National Campaign, which aims to close gaps in HIV and TB care. These diseases hit hard in places like QwaQwa, where poverty and lack of resources make treatment tricky. Mahlatsi has been a driving force in the province’s efforts to tackle TB, and now he’s bringing traditional leaders into the fold to help spread the word and get more people tested and treated.
The meeting at Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital will also tackle practical problems. The hospital has struggled with water shortages and power cuts in the past, making it tough to care for patients. Mahlatsi wants to hear from the hospital’s management about what they need to keep things running smoothly.
Why Traditional Leaders Matter
In QwaQwa, traditional leaders like Morena oa Batlokoeng and Morena oa Bakoena are more than just figureheads—they’re trusted voices. They know their people and can spot problems that outsiders might miss. Mahlatsi is banking on their help to make healthcare work better. They can encourage folks to visit clinics, explain treatments in ways that fit local customs, and share health tips with their communities. They can also back small projects, like mobile clinics, to reach people in far-off villages.
This isn’t just talk—it’s about action. Traditional leaders can help break down barriers, like when people avoid doctors because of old beliefs or fear. By teaming up with them, Mahlatsi hopes to build a health system that feels right for QwaQwa.
| Source: Central News
