This is according to the latest report of Ritshidze, a community-led monitoring system developed by several HIV-related organisations, like the Treatment Action Campaign, Positive Action Campaign, and Positive Women’s Network, among others. According to a report issued by Ritshidze, out of 22 facilities that were assessed, 95% of facility managers said that they need more space to meet patients’ needs, with 88% of facility managers in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district and all facility managers (100%) in the Lejweleputswa district reporting the same problem.

According to Ritshidze Project Manager, Mary Nyathi, waiting room space, medical care, and filing space are among the issues facility managers complained about. Nyathi said that inadequate space impacts patients in many ways, as a lack of space for things such as HIV counselling or testing can lead to not having privacy and being counselled or tested in the same room with other people. She said that these incidents were reported at the clinics in Kgotsong, Bothaville and Tshepong in Welkom.  

Nyathi further stated that sanitation is also a major concern, as 60% of toilets were found to be in appaling conditions, with 67% reported to be in bad conditions in Lejweleputswa, 50% in Mangaung, and 50% in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district. She said there were major issues with the lack of water, toilet paper unavailability, and the unavailability of soap.  

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi