Patients sick over state of clinic

THE COMMUNITY of Lerato Park has accused the Northern Cape Department of Health of neglecting their health and trampling on their human rights after the department apparently converted a flat in the area into a makeshift clinic that lacks essential medications.

Residents said their joy about having a clinic in the area was short-lived when they discovered its location.

“We used to go to the clinics in Roodepan and Galeshewe. We were glad when we heard that we would get our own clinic, as that meant people wouldn’t have to travel or walk far to access medical help or obtain their chronic medication. However, when we found out that one of the flats was going to be used as a clinic, we realised that our access to quality health care was not being prioritised. The department has decided to convert a flat into a clinic that is not even equipped with the necessary emergency equipment,” they said.

Concerns extended beyond the facility itself; residents also criticised the staff’s competence.

“The nurses who are employed at this facility are not taking the patients’ conditions seriously. Most clinics open at 7.30am, but this clinic only opens at 9am. People are forced to wait and watch the nurses first cook and eat before attending to the patients. The nurses also prescribe the wrong medication to some patients. They claim that there is no pharmacy,” the residents claimed.

“A woman and her sick child were turned away and told by the nurses that there was no medication to treat the child, not even pain syrup for the child. That woman had to rush her child to the Roodepan clinic and she luckily managed to get assistance from that clinic.

“We have tried to return to the clinics in other parts of the city but were told that we have to go to the clinic in our area. That is very frustrating, as we get poor service here.

“Our lives are also in danger as people have complained that they have been issued with the wrong medication. An elderly lady who suffers from arthritis was prescribed antiretroviral tablets by the staff. When she complained, they told her to just take the pills. Basic checks like blood pressure aren’t even conducted before prescribing medication.”

Community members stated that their complaints about the clinic have fallen on deaf ears.

“We have complained about this clinic several times to the department, but nobody has taken us seriously. Do we have to wait for someone to die before they take the matter seriously?

“This flat is not a suitable space to help sick people. One should have privacy, where you feel that the details of your condition are kept confidential. However, at this clinic, your privacy is not guaranteed as the place is stacked full of sick people.”

Residents have attempted to return to their previous clinics.

“The nurses at the Galeshewe and Roodepan clinics know that we are from Lerato Park and they continuously tell us that we need to return to our local clinic as it is closer. Distance is not the greatest challenge we currently face.

“We wish the department would take a more thoughtful approach to address their challenges. Converting a flat into a clinic with incompetent staff is not the answer to providing services to the community,” they said.

After several enquiries and attempts to contact the Northern Cape Department of Health regarding the community’s concerns and allegations, there has been no response.