Chuene Clinic at Ga-Chuene village near Polokwane reopened on Tuesday after being closed for three weeks following an attack on staff in January. 

“The temporary closure of the clinic was necessary to provide support to the staff members affected by the break-in, abduction and sexual assault of two nurses,” says Limpopo Health MEC, Dieketseng Mashego in a statement.

At the time of the attack, the clinic was operating around the clock. The clinic will not resume 24-hour and weekend services for now.

The department says in addition to providing staff with psychological services, infrastructure improvements have been made to enhance security at the clinic. 

Welcomed relief 

The reopening of the facility is a welcomed relief for community members. 

“I am relieved Chuene Clinic is back on its feet. It has been three weeks of high cost and tiredness for us,  having to travel to Unit B clinic in Lebowakgomo (about 20 km away) or Soetfontein Clinic in Ga-Maja (about 22 Km away),” Marcia Mogale (47)  a regular user of the facility tells Health-e News. “Now we are happy, especially that the suspected monster has been found.”

Another patient says the clinic reopened just in time. “During the three weeks when our clinic was closed I was lucky my chronic medication never ran out. But I only had three days’ supply left,” Simon Shotolo (74) says.

Jackson Chuene, a representative of the Chuene Royal Council echoed these sentiments.  

“We have been assured by the provincial health department that security reinforcement and infrastructure developments are ongoing. For now, the clinic offers day services from Monday to Friday and closes over weekends and we understand. We hope the clinic will resume its fully normal operations in future when staff members have recovered and infrastructure is in good shape,” says Chuene.

 Nurses want commitment to security

Some nurses and workers at the clinic say they hope repairs made on the fence, windows and doors which had been broken for some time would enhance security.

 Jacob Molepo, provincial secretary for the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) says the union also welcomes the presence of employee health wellness services practitioners on the clinic premises.

“Remember all workers have been traumatised badly by the horrific attack last month and employee health wellness services will contribute immensely to help them recover.

“Security has improved; razor wire has been rolled around and holes in the palisade fence are closed while doors and windows have been repaired as well. We however remain vigilant and are monitoring these improvements,” Molepo adds.

The labour organiser of the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) Thulani Maluleke says the safety of staff and patients is their foremost concern. 

“We were never against the reopening of the Chuene Clinic. We agree it will take some time before 24-hour and weekend services resume. We are monitoring the situation.”

Mashego assures the community the clinic will be a safe place for all.

According to Mashego, in response to the horrific incident at Chuene Clinic, her department has established a panel to ensure private security companies contracted to guard health facilities comply with service level agreements.

Suspect behind bars

A 27-year-old man, who was out on parole at the time, was arrested for the attack on Chuence clinic. He faces charges of robberies, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as four counts of rape.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on 09 April. – Health-e News