If clinic closes we are going to die

The Masoyi community was up in arms about the threat of the possible closure of an independent clinic which serves the needs of critically ill patients living in the area. On September 5, the Mpumalanga Department of Health (DOH) issued a media statement saying that the department had heard of the imminent closure of three NGO clinics funded by international donors. One of the affected clinics is run by Acts in Masoyi which is funded by USaid and provides specialised care for critical illnesses such as drug-resistant TB.
This news led to great concern among patients and staff of the clinic and together with the management of the clinic entered into discussions with the DOH. They proposed that the DOH rather take over the clinic than close it down. However to date, the discussions have not delivered any clarity on the situation leaving patients and employees in the dark. This together with the fact that the clinics’ international funding from USaid will end in March 2015 led to a protest outside the clinic on Monday, September 30.
The protestors demanded the presence of the media in order to get the DOH to pay attention to their pleas. Lowveld Media was requested to attend the protest and print their demands in the newspaper. A journalist went to the clinic to meet with the protestors and at first all seemed calm and peaceful. The group of approx. 50 adults carried placards saying “If Acts clinic closes we are going to die” and “Please help us DOH don’t transfer us out to local clinics”. Suddenly the atmosphere changed and the crowd gave vent to their frustrations. Large rocks and branches were dragged and put all over the road. At the same time these were also placed in a circle around the reporter and his car. The mood of the crowd was also changing rapidly and it was clear that the situation had the potential to become explosive. The journalist made a decision to withdraw from covering the protest any further and managed to get into his vehicle and escape to safety.
The protestors handed a petition to the clinics’ management later in the day requesting it be sent to DOH. The petition, signed by 38 patients, once again pleaded with the department not to close their clinic. They made it clear that they did not want to be transferred to the local government clinics in the area as the services provided there was not good. According to Leonard Brand, operational manager of the Acts Masoyi clinic, discussions are still continuing with the department. “However the patients are anxious and concerned about the future of their clinic and their health. They just want some answers and attention paid to their concerns and proposal. ”