Residents have raised a desperate alarm, pleading with the Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) to urgently address the appalling conditions at the local White River Clinic.

According to staff and residents, years of neglect have resulted in a chaotic filing room and a severely inadequate waiting space, jeopardising patient confidentiality and putting vulnerable individuals, including babies, at risk.

Among the core issues are a lack of privacy and proper infrastructure. Patient confidentiality is constantly compromised due to inadequate file storage, a situation that has persisted for years despite repeated engagements with the department.

In addition, clinic staff have revealed that patients are currently being kept in a motor garage before being allowed into the main clinic building, resulting in the mixing of different patient groups.

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“The mess at the clinic needs a serious intervention for the sake of the patients. Babies are mixed with adults and TB patients, who put the babies and the other patients at risk,” said one staff member.

“What makes the matter worse is the storage of files that puts patients’ confidentiality at stake. The risk of lost or exposed medical records is high.”

The chairperson of the White River Rate Payers Association, Johan Heymans, confirmed that they the matter has been escalated directly to the highest level.

He met with the health minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to plead for funds to maintain and upgrade the dilapidated facility and said that they were promised the matter would be dealt with.

“To this day, nothing has happened. The elderly stand in the sun or rain when they need medical assistance. The situation is a disgrace and sick people are not respected,” said Heymans. “No focus is placed on much-needed maintenance of infrastructure – all we see is new projects, and possible corruption opportunities.”

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He specified that the facility needs a proper waiting area, segregation of patients, a secure filing system and infrastructure maintenance.

“Residents are demanding immediate action from the DoH to move beyond promises and bring the White River Clinic up to a standard that respects the dignity, safety and privacy of its patients,” Heymans concluded.

DoH spokesperson Dumisani Malamule said that he was not aware of the situation. He promised to investigate the claims and provide a response.