This is according to a DA member of the Free State Provincial Legislature Leona Kleynhans, who recently conducted an oversight visit at the health facility. She explained the clinic services about 40 000 poverty-stricken people from informal settlements in and around the area. During her visit, she witnessed about 100 patients who were waiting to be assisted by healthcare workers. She was informed it is a situation healthcare workers are faced with daily. Intabazwe clinic remains the only healthcare facility in the area as the other one burned down years ago.

“There were two clinics in Intabazwe but the other clinic burned down more than ten years ago. It’s never been rebuilt, so this is now the only clinic in this huge area. They are completely, completely overwhelmed with the number of people coming in for medication and assistance. This cannot be allowed to continue,” she said.

In 2021, the Kagisanong Clinic in Bloemfontein, Welkom and Hoopstad Clinics ranked among the most understaffed clinics by patients in a report compiled by Ritshidze Project Manager, Mary Nyathi. She said stock-outs of fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication, in addition to a shortage of nursing and support staff, are some of the biggest issues impacting the functionality of clinics in the province.

ALSO READ: Patients rate Kagisanong clinic ‘most short-staffed clinic' in FS

The Mmabana Clinic in Phahameng, Bloemfontein, was closed down by the Department of Labour, leaving many patients in disarray. This was after the building was declared unsafe. A number of patients were now assisted outside the clinic with the mobile clinic dispatched at the clinic only arriving hours later. Patients were also asking neighbours to use the toilet or for water to drink.  The spokesperson of Health in the Free State disputed that there was an intervention by Labour.

ALSO READ: Closure of Free State clinic disputed

OFM News has sent questions to the Department of Health in the province and is awaiting a response.

OFM News