Health/Gesondheid!!!: Democratic Alliance press statement by Mariette Pittaway DA MPL in the Free State Provincial Legislature FS Health Crisis: Batho Clinic closed down 03 November 2014 Release: Immediate It appears that the Batho Clinic in Bloemfontein has been closed down by Health MEC Malakoane’s department. The DA in the Free State, as part of the DA’s commitment to quality and equitable healthcare for all, conducted an oversight visit at the Batho Clinic on 17 September 2014. During our visit we heard rumours that the clinic might be closed down. We resolved then to submit written questions to MEC Malakoane to ascertain whether there was any credence to these rumours, to date MEC Malakoane has failed to reply in writing, but he nonetheless went ahead and shut the doors to a clinic that services a community of thousands. The closure of the clinic leaves the people of Batho without access to immediate primary healthcare. It adds to the misery of the ill and the infirm forcing them to travel longer distances to access healthcare at additional cost. The closure will further add to the burden on other community healthcare facilities in neighbouring areas. It is evident that MEC Malakoane would rather close clinics instead of fixing them. The situation at Batho Clinic was shocking. During our oversight visit there last month we encountered the following problems: 1. The clinic did not have electricity supply since May 2014. The disruption in electricity came as a result of vandalism and theft and the Provincial Department of Health did nothing to repair and replace stolen and vandalised infrastructure. 2. The safety and security of patients and staff alike were put at risk since the department failed to make provision for daytime security while night time security was sporadic. 3. As a result of the clinic not having electricity, HIV and TB patients were forced to access treatment at Mmabana Phahmeng Clinic. The clinic could only assist chronic patients and could accommodate family planning. 4. The clinic failed to receive medical cleaning detergents since June 2014. Following our visit, the DA obtained medical detergents and donated it to the facility. 5. More than half of the clinic was in disuse due to an unstable ceiling. 6. The new toilets constructed in the new wing were in disuse because the contractor installed the wrong sized pipes. Not only does MEC Malakoane and his department fail to open new clinics and hospitals, like the facilities in Ladybrand and Trompsburg, but he fails to keep the doors open to existing clinics. I will request that the written question submitted to MEC Malakoane, which he has failed to answer, to be placed on the order paper for the next sitting of the legislature where he will have to account publicly. The DA will not rest until every Free State resident enjoys quality and equitable healthcare services. Media Enquiries: Mariette Pittaway DA MPL 082 908 1242 CJ Steyl PA to the Leader of the Opposition 078 652 5284
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:11:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015