Note to Editors: Please find pictures of the clinic here, here and here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight visit to the Vosloorus Extension 28 Clinic yesterday, revealing the shocking state of healthcare in Ekurhuleni. The clinic, which serves a large catchment area and attends to at least 3,000 to 4,000 patients per month, is plagued by a lack of maintenance, staff shortages, and inadequate resources.
The building itself is in a deplorable state, with broken ceilings, non-functional air conditioners, and inadequate ablution facilities. The clinic has been without a functioning geyser, and the generator, although present, has not received diesel supplies from the municipality since 2021. Glass doors broken during a burglary remain unrepaired, and medical waste is stored in a garage alongside a parked car.
Furthermore, the clinic lacks essential infrastructure, including jo-jo tanks to store water, leaving it vulnerable to water supply disruptions. When water supply issues arise, no notification is provided to patients or staff, causing unnecessary inconvenience and disruption to healthcare services.
The clinic’s maintenance issues are further compounded by a dysfunctional work order system. Despite submitting work orders months ago, no repairs or maintenance have been undertaken, and the clinic has been informed that new work orders must be submitted next year, as the existing ones have “fallen away”. This is unacceptable and demonstrates a clear lack of accountability and urgency in addressing the clinic’s pressing maintenance needs.
Staff shortages are a significant concern, with only 4 professional nurses on staff, despite a requirement for 8. The clinic lacks a pharmacist assistant, and there is a chronic shortage of dry medical stock and condoms.
These findings are unacceptable. It is imperative that clinics like Vosloorus Ext 28 receive the necessary support and resources to function efficiently and provide quality healthcare to residents.
We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address the crisis at Vosloorus Ext 28 Clinic. This includes:
- Urgent maintenance and repairs;
- Staffing reinforcements to address the critical shortage of staff;
- Provision of essential resources, including medical supplies, diesel for the generator; and
- Streamlining of the work order system to ensure prompt and efficient maintenance and repairs.
The health and well-being of the residents of Vosloorus and surrounding areas depend on immediate change. We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the necessary support and resources to ensure that this clinic and others like it, can provide quality healthcare to those who need it most.