Limpopo residents close road and demand 24-hour clinic

LIMPOPO – Residents of Valdezia blocked the D4 between Elim and Malamulele on Monday, demanding that the Department of Health extend their clinic’s operating hours to around the clock.

Currently, the clinic operates from 08:00-16:00, four days a week, and remains closed on weekends.

The protest was spearheaded by the Valdezia Concern Group, with spokesperson Lucky Mathonsi highlighting several challenges. He explained that the clinic building belongs to the EPC Church and is situated on a poorly maintained road, making it inaccessible for vehicles, including ambulances. Medical staff must park far from the clinic and walk through muddy conditions.

Mathonsi said patients are often forced to travel long distances to Elim Hospital for after-hours care, having to pay up to R400 for transport.

“Our clinic operates only during limited hours. If you need assistance after 16:00, you’re out of luck. We urgently need an ambulance service and additional staff for the clinic,” he said.

A community member, Sarah Mathebula agreed, questioning why the fully equipped clinic, which has a maternity ward, does not provide 24-hour service.

“We need an operational ambulance and around-the-clock service to address our community’s health needs,” she urged.

A detailed enquiry has been sent to Department of Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, who said the department have taken note of the challenges raised by the community and undertook to immediately solve those which are solvable on the short term. For example, the issue of the building is not something that can be solved here and now.

However, on operations we are bringing changes on a stuggard basis. The clinic will begin to operate full days and also weekends. We are bringing in staff from elsewhere to beef up and endure that this happens.