Westenburg patients want more permanent healthcare facilities
According to unhappy patients. the mayor promised the Westenburg residents a piece of land to build a permanent clinic earlier this year.
LIMPOPO – Patients registered to receive medical attention at the Westenburg weekly mobile clinic want the Department of Health to bring a permanent solution to the lack of healthcare facilities in the area.
Women were reportedly being inoculated for birth control in an open room, when someone’s photo with their faces hidden by emojis was taken to prove how their right to confidentiality, as stated in the National Health Act (61 of 2003) of the South African constitution, is constantly violated.
They use the community hall to attend to local patient issues on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“Everyone who passes by can see when those women pull down their pants. That is not right. We are being stripped of our humanity and dignity,” said a community representative, Terry Whitehead.
In response to enquiries by patients following the apparent ignorance of privacy by the nurses, one male nurse commented that it was possible for patients to receive medication in the presence of other patients.
This outcry has been addressed in a few meetings with officials of the department present, including Polokwane Mayor John Mpe.
“On March 28, the mayor promised us that land has been identified for the purposes of a clinic. When a letter was sent to him regarding our ward issues, including the need for a permanent clinic, the response was that they were not mandated to provide health services, but would out of courtesy engage the Health MEC. What makes us angry is that the mayor did not mention the Department of Health when he addressed us about vacant land to build a clinic,” Whitehead added.
A fixed premises and privacy compartments are not the only request made to the Health Department.
Residents futher ask that the department does proper and prompt medicine procurement, as parents often get turned away when their children have to be vaccinated.
“Our children miss out on their doses and this is unacceptable.”
Acting health spokesperson, Derick Kganyago however, had more bad news for the community.
He said a request by the municipality was lodged for a clinic to be built, but that regulations don’t allow for the building of another clinic when there is an existing one situated within a 10-kilometre radius.
“The Buite Clinic in this case is an alternative, and therefore this area does not qualify for an additional clinic.”
