Since Friday, October 11, the Oakley Clinic’s operating hours were extended from eight hours, five days a week, to a 24-hour community health centre (CHC), a commitment the Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, had made during the facility’s official opening in September last year.

This was not the only change; additionally, the maternity services have been incorporated into the CHC’s service offerings. The community members said they used to have to travel to other CHCs or hospitals for the services that were not available from Oakley Clinic.

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Manzini said when they initially opened the centre, they did have plans to make it operational, 24 hours a day. She said the main aim of her visit was to make sure that the facility was ready.

“Before we extend the hours or make a centre to operate for 24 hours, we start by monitoring various issues, including the state of the area and where it is located. In Bushbuckridge there are three zones; north, midland and mid-south. In these areas there are 24-hour clinics and they have hospitals. Some of these areas have two clinics operating for 24 hours.”

Manzini said in this particular zone of Bushbuckridge, they didn’t have a CHC operating at these hours.
She told the community members and patients to tell others there are now maternity services available.

“Pregnant women who would like to deliver their babies should come to this centre and not travel to the hospital, as the services are available here. Let them know that everything is prepared and the facility is ready, especially for them.”

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Manzini urged the public to respect the staff members and vice versa. She said this is important for co-operation.
“During consultations, respect is vital from both nurses and patients so they can all be productive and move in the same direction.