I am pleased to report that after my visit to the Malvern Clinic in east Johannesburg on Monday last week, water was restored by Friday following the publicity and pressure on Joburg Water to fix the problem after six weeks without water.
The toilets will no longer be locked and can be used by the 5000 patients who visit this clinic every month.
Instead of closing two hours early because of the water shortage, the clinic will close at the normal time of 4pm.
More good news is that Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has responded positively to my letter to fix the poor infrastructure, which includes holes in the ceiling, broken lights, and a dingy environment. I asked her to intervene as the city council has failed to reverse the deterioration of this local government clinic.
Johannesburg MMC for Health and Social Development, Clr Ennie Makhafola, has now visited the clinic and promised that repairs will be done by the end of the year.
Local DA Ward Councillor Neuren Pietersen has requested an inspection by the Council’s Section 79 Health Oversight Committee. He will push for the water tank to be placed on a concrete base and connected with a pump to the pipes. This will assist with the erratic water supply in the area.
The DA will also push for a relocation of the clinic to more spacious premises as it is very cramped, with tiny consulting rooms and chairs crammed into corridors.
Under a DA-run administration, local clinics will be strengthened as they are vital to primary health care as the entry point to a well-functioning health system.