VKLM’s mobile clinic will soon run again
In a letter to the SAHRC, the DA requested an urgent investigation into the poor medical services rendered by the Department of Health, possibly resulting in the violation of the VKLM-residents’ human rights in terms of Section 27 (1)(a) of the Constitution.
It seems that the Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) mobile clinic will soon take to the road again after standing idle since the beginning of 2020.
According to a letter from the Department of Health (DOH), dated February 22, and addressed to the SAHRC, the department has finally secured money for the appointment of employees to operate the mobile services of VKLM.
This came after Diane Bath, Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor at VKLM, raised numerous letters of concern about the lack of mobile clinic services to the community of VKLM.
As reported in various previous Streeknuus editions, the Department of Health has blamed VKLM’s budgetary constraints for the lack of services.
Bath also addressed the lack of mobile services with the SAHRC.
In a letter to the SAHRC, the DA requested an urgent investigation into the poor medical services rendered by the Department of Health, possibly resulting in the violation of the VKLM-residents’ human rights in terms of Section 27 (1)(a) of the Constitution.
At the time, Bath informed Streeknuus the mobile clinic that is meant to serve the community is standing idle at the Bernice Samuel Hospital in Delmas.
The services came to a halt after one of the drivers resigned during January 2020 and since then, no provisions have been made to appoint a new driver.
“For two years, about 4 000 residents from as far as Izak farm, Mimosa, Amfening, Tikkie Line, Sundra, Eloff, Modder East Orchards, Rietkol, Breswoll and Katboschfontein are expected to travel great distances to the nearest hospital.
In addition, thousands of farmworkers constantly walk more than 30km in the hope of receiving healthcare services,” said Bath.
If all goes to plan, the idle mobile clinic will be on the road to serve the community of VKLM from May 1.
“Where there is a will, there is a way. It was definitely worth the struggle for the sake of our community,” Bath told Streeknuus.