Health system on the decline

LUPHISI – This community is devastated about the decline of its health system, especially at the local clinic.

Mpumalanga is among the regions that have reported that their health institutions are in dire straits. Mpumalanga News has investigated several shocking incidents which patients have faced in this sector.

Residents have threatened to protest because they feel they can no longer put their lives at risk by going to old and dilapidated clinics.

“We are not going to tolerate this. We are not coping as the local clinic is extremely small and the buildings are very old. Our lives are in danger as it can collapse at any moment. Something needs to be done,” said one of the community members, Mr Sabelo Maseko.

This reporter saw that parts of the buildings had cracks and were rotting due to the water that was leaking from the geyser.

Patients in the consultation room did not have privacy since nurses were forced to share the room with administration staff.

Another factor was the overcrowding which had been caused by the increase of people from Msogwaba, Daantjie and surrounding areas who came for treatment.

Questioned why they travelled all the way to this village, Ms Gladys Mphahlanyane of Msogwaba said, “I’m used to this clinic.

“The service is up to standard and nurses attend to us on time.

“They are not rude, but overcrowding is a problem and the building is not user-friendly,” Mphahlanyane said.

Speaking during the launch of the eye-care service and health-awareness campaign held at Nhlazatje Stadium on Monday, MEC for health, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, indicated that the clinic was becoming overcrowded due to the increasing number of people who lived in the area.

However, she did not indicate whether the current structure of the clinic was going to be demolished or refurbished, but instead added the department had implemented a referral system to other community health-care facilities that would assist in curbing the influx of patients.