The Free State health department has temporarily closed Tumahole Clinic in Parys and Mokwallo Clinic in Vredeford as heavy rains continue to batter the towns.
While there’s minimal damage to the health facilities, some residents have not been spared. Vuyisile Nzimankulu of Tumahole has lost his home after the roof was destroyed by heavy winds. “I need roofing and temporary shelter,” he says.
Some people have been temporarily housed in halls, churches and schools
Health MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi says the workers from the clinics, which have been closed since last week, are helping staff in other facilities that were not damaged or closed by the floods.
“We are aware of the localised floods in Parys and Vredeford. Our workers in the affected clinics are helping out at other facilities. We have ordered the facilities to temporarily cease operating until things go back to normal,” he says.
Patients are being diverted to other functioning clinics. Those who are unable to get to other facilities are waiting for operations at Tumahole and Mokwallo Clinic to resume.
Locals in both towns have pleaded with the government to provide speedy help.
The South African Weather Services has issued a warning of torrential rains and destructive winds in parts the Free State, Kwa-Zulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. – Health-e News
