Healthcare ‘compromised’ by Talana Clinic’s closure

The local economy has suffered another blow, with the closure last week of the Talana Sub-Acute Clinic.

The clinic, which employed 140 people, was closed after the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (DoH) failed to renew the licence, as it had normally done over the past 22 years. Dr Jan ‘Plankie’ Fourie said the closure was a huge blow to the workers and the town.

“Many residents relied on the private health facility to attend to their care 24/7. We are taking up this issue over the department’s inspection team not wanting to renew the licence, despite us constantly receiving a licence without any problems. I have had discussions with many within the department and political leaders in a bid to resolve the crisis,” said Dr Fourie.

Dr Imran Keeka, Democratic Alliance Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) for the Umzinyathi District, visited Dr Fourie’s surgery on Friday and expressed concern at how the closure would ‘severely compromise health care in an area where such facilities are scarce’.

“Clearly, Talana Sub-Acute was one of its kind in the Umzinyathi District. I have contacted the Head of the KZN DoH to clear up this matter to everyone’s satisfaction. Right now, we do not have all the facts but I have made arrangements for Dr Fourie and his team to meet the top brass of the department to consider a way forward.”

Dr Sandile Tshabalala, Head of KZN DoH, has been contacted by the Courier for comment and his response will be published as soon as it has been received. Internal sources claimed a meeting was expected this week to discuss the matter.

Read this week’s edition of the Courier for the full story.

ALSO READ: Health Department responds to complaints of poor service at Glenridge Clinic

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