Montsho Matlala
- ///News, Our Health
Residents in Ga-Pila, outside Mokopane town in Waterberg District, Limpopo, are frustrated with the Sterkwater Clinic’s inability to provide adequate healthcare services. Reports indicate that the clinic has been facing persistent issues, with medication shortages and malfunctioning equipment. *Sy Thobela, a hawker and spaza shop owner supporting a family of seven says the situation places an additional financial burden on him, as he spends nearly half of his profits on chronic medication. “Since August last year, I have been buying my hypertensive medication from private pharmacies on the prescription of a private doctor. I make an average of R4 000 as a hawker, and spaza shop owner with a family of seven to look after. It means I spend more or less half my profit on my chronic medication,” he laments. Debra Sella, a resident relying on ARV treatment, also shared her frustration. “I have gone to the clinic several
- ///News, Our Health
- ///News, Our Health
A number of Early Childhood Development (ECD) workers feel abandoned by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), with no prospects of permanent employment. Their discontent follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that as from 1 April this year, ECD functions are now under DBE control. They previously fell under the Department of Social Development (DSD). Although they initially embraced this switch, the uncertainty has left many of them asking questions. Spirits dampened Dikeledi Aphane, 56, who runs a creche at Lefiso village in Mpumalanga, said that ECD workers were neglected despite their important contributions towards building a future society. “I am getting older every year without government benefits. And yet, I help children become good learners, students and later, productive citizens. Why is the government able to pay the R350 COVID-19 relief money, but we as ECD practitioners, aren’t recognised?”, asked Aphane. Another ECD practitioner, Francinah Kubjana, started working at the
Access to decent toilets is a human right but some people in Limpopo’s capital city of Polokwane are forced to pay to use public facilities, and for many, it’s simply unaffordable. Nandi Samdo, 38, a hawker based at a taxi rank in the Polokwane city centre said the R2 she has to pay each time she needs the toilet eats into her profits.. “If I go five times a day, it means R10 off my profit. Government must make sure toilets are sufficient and clean with workers looking after them every day without making anyone pay for use,” Sambo said. Another hawker, Josephine Mamabolo 51 said she sometimes limits her food and water intake to avoid using the facilities. “Sometimes I limit the food I eat so that I don’t go to the toilet frequently in order to save money,” Mamabolo said. She added the only other option available to
Apel residents in the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo are up in arms following the provincial department of health’s reluctance to upgrade the Nchabeleng Community Health Centre into a 24-hour hospital. The Nchabeleng Community Health Centre at Ga-Nchabeleng village initially operated as a 24-hour facility but has been non-functional since the end of August. It had since been downgraded to 12 hours. This decision has infuriated residents as tensions between communities and the Limpopo Department of Health rage on. Patients express concern Magalane Mahlatji, 72, has been collecting her hypertensive medication and attending consultations at the centre since 2001. “I got my last pack of pills from the centre at the beginning of August. There was already talk that the centre might close down and it made me very unhappy. And today, it’s become a bad reality. I have since spent over R200 on transport costs to get my medication from
- ///News
A Limpopo patient, needing to see a doctor before having his treatment for hypertension renewed, has described how him and several others were turned away at the Zone 2 clinic in Seshego, Polokwane due to faulty blood pressure machines. The problem is widespread throughout the province with several public healthcare facilities unable to monitor patients’ blood pressure and the Limpopo Department of Health is yet to comment on the worsening situation. Frank Votyeka*, arrived at the Zone 2 clinic for his doctor’s appointment and was pleasantly surprised to see that the queue for chronic patients wasn’t too long. But his joy was short-lived. “The nursing sister greeted us and announced: ‘I believe all of you are here for your doctor’s appointments. The doctor will come, I believe, but my dear people don’t get surprised, we cannot check your blood pressure (BP) because our machines are not working today,” said Votyeka.
- ///News