The Free State Department of Health (FSDOH) has announced a two-year extension of its longstanding Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Community Hospital Management (CHM), managed by Netcare. Originally established in 2002, the partnership now extends until 30 November 2027, ensuring ongoing access to quality healthcare services for Free State residents.
The PPP includes Universitas Private Hospital in central Bloemfontein and Pelonomi Private Hospital in the greater Mangaung municipal area – two facilities that have become cornerstones of the province's healthcare infrastructure. Together, the hospitals employ hundreds of healthcare professionals and support staff while delivering critical specialised services, such as kidney transplants, paediatric oncology, and advanced diagnostics.
| Pictured (L-R): Phuti Kgare (Netcare legal), Dr Erich Bock (managing director, Netcare Hospital Division), Sr Ncumisa Mbambani (nursing manager, Universitas Private Hospital), Ernest Mohlahlo (HOD, FS Health), MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi (FS Health), Sr Beatrice Soyingwa (nursing manager, Pelonomi Private Hospital), Joe Madungandaba (CHM chairman), Moses Moremi (CFO, FS Health) and Nwabisa Jumba (PPPMU Officer). |
| Picture (L-R): Sr Ncumisa Mbambani (nursing manager, Universitas Private Hospital), Sr Beatrice Soyingwa (nursing manager, Pelonomi Private Hospital), MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi (FS Health) and Sr Gernè van Niekerk (Unit Manager Medical Ward, Universitas Private Hospital). |
Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health of the Free State, Mr Monyatso Mahlatsi, highlighted the partnership’s transformative effect: “Over 23 years, this collaboration has greatly increased access to specialised healthcare services in the Free State. We have improved our infrastructure, secured dependable clinical capacity, and made sure our residents no longer need to travel to larger cities for specialised care. We have witnessed ongoing improvements in theatre services, strengthened high-care and intensive care capacity, and expanded specialist outpatient clinics in vital areas.”
The partnership has delivered measurable improvements across multiple service areas. Dr Erich Bock, Managing Director of Netcare’s Hospital Division, points to some of these achievements: “Emergency and trauma capabilities at Pelonomi Private Hospital have been enhanced, reducing response times and the need for patient transfers. Elective surgery capacity has expanded through better-coordinated theatre access. Experienced specialists practise at our hospital, supported by skilled nursing and support teams to deliver comprehensive medical and surgical care, including general surgery, gynaecology, and paediatrics.”
Dr Bock noted that Universitas Private Hospital remains the only accredited facility in the Free State performing kidney transplants while offering private paediatric oncology services and manometry services, which are specialised medical diagnostic procedures that measure pressure within various organs and body systems. “Pelonomi Private Hospital provides comprehensive medical and surgical services through two theatres, radiology and pathology departments, a National Renal Care dialysis unit, and a dedicated 10-bed psychiatric unit. In addition, both hospitals operate retail pharmacies serving the broader community.”
Mr Joe Madungandaba, Chairman of CHM, spoke to the partnership’s broader impact: “Through our collaboration with the FSDOH and Netcare, we have maintained and expanded critical healthcare services while creating sustainable job opportunities across both facilities. We have invested heavily in training and upskilling programmes, contributing meaningfully to the provincial economy. This is much more than a business arrangement; it is a blueprint for how strategic partnerships can transform healthcare delivery and create lasting value for communities.”
| Picture (L-R): Sr Ncumisa Mbambani (nursing manager, Universitas Private Hospital), Dr Erich Bock (managing director, Netcare Hospital Division), Joe Madungandaba (CHM chairman), Sr Beatrice Soyingwa (nursing manager, Pelonomi Private Hospital) and Phuti Kgare (Netcare legal). |
| Joe Madungandaba (CHM chairman) and MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi (FS Health) |
| Dr Erich Bock (managing director, Netcare Hospital Division) addressing the clinicians of Pelonomi and Universitas private hospitals |
The partnership’s evolution reflects changing healthcare needs. Mr Ernest Mohlahlo, Head of Department of the FSDOH, explains: “What began as a response to infrastructure shortages has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare delivery model. Today, our partnership emphasises affordability, value for money, stronger governance, integrated workforce planning and alignment with provincial health priorities. We have adapted to address changing healthcare needs, including chronic disease, trauma care, and the requirements of an ageing population.”
A key element of the partnership’s success has been the structured implementation of Remunerative Work Outside Public Service (RWOPS), which enables public-sector doctors to undertake additional remunerated work while maintaining their public posts. This arrangement has proven essential in attracting and retaining experienced specialists, ensuring service continuity, and reducing talent migration to metropolitan areas.
The renewed agreement introduces enhanced initiatives, including expanded specialist outpatient clinics, structured theatre scheduling for increased surgical throughput, joint workforce development programmes, and a greater focus on chronic disease management and rehabilitation services.
MEC Mahlatsi sums up the impact of continued collaboration: "This partnership has proven that when public and private sectors unite with a shared vision, we can achieve remarkable outcomes. The renewed agreement is not just an extension – it is an evolution that addresses our people’s changing healthcare needs in meaningful ways while maintaining financial sustainability.
“This model demonstrates that quality healthcare does not have to be a privilege reserved for those in major cities. It can be delivered right here, in the communities where our people live and work. That is the legacy of this partnership, and the promise we are extending for another two years,” MEC Mahlatsi concludes.
Ends
For Free State Department of Health media enquiries, please contact:
Pogisho Sehularo, Acting Director for Communications
Free State Department of Health Communications
Telephone: +27 83 301 7104
Email: [email protected]
For Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health of the Free State media enquiries, please contact:
Motale Sebego, MEC's Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Health
Telephone: +27 68 097 0634
Email: [email protected]
Issued by: MNA on behalf of the Netcare and Community Hospital Management
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster,
Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
Telephone: 011 469 3016
Email: [email protected]