Equipment deliveries delay Soshanguve clinic opening

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Did you know that a health facility must acknowledge receipt of a complaint within five days of it being lodged? (File Photo)

Construction on a new, R25 million-clinic for the township’s Block JJ section began in 2014. Slated to open in July 2015, the new clinic is still standing empty months later. According to Gauteng Department of Health Spokesperson Steve Mabona, delayed deliveries are to blame for the clinic’s late opening.

“The structure is complete and waiting for new equipment and furniture,” he said.

Local leader Kwakwa Molapo has said there has been a lack of communication between the clinic and patients as to when the newly built clinic will open.

“We receive a lot of complaints from the community about long waiting times,” he told OurHealth. “When we approach the manager of the clinic we do not get the right answers”.

In the meantime, patients of the old Block JJ clinic continue to complain about conditions.

“We are disappointed by the service of this clinic,” said Lettie Lamola from Block HH, who attends the clinic with her nine-month-old baby.

“There are not enough chairs to sit in,” she told OurHealth. The courtesy managers at reception are impatient when you try to ask for chairs for the outside (waiting area).”

A staff member who did not wish to be named said that until the new clinic opens, the clinic remains cramped and short staffed.

“Our challenge here is lack of space,” he said. “You can see we are still using containers as consulting rooms.”

“There has been no replacement of deceased staff or those who left for greener pastures,” he added. “Maybe when after the opening of the new structure, we will see changes”.