Kwazakhele clinic stays shut amid safety fears

Services at the Kwazakhele clinic will remain suspended until officials from the department of health address the concerns of clinic workers and residents.

That was the word from Treatment Action Campaign deputy chair Thembisile Nogampule on Monday.

The news came after residents and clinic workers complained that a meeting they had asked for was turned down last week.

On Monday, health department spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha acknowledged that the meeting had not taken place because health department officials had been disturbed by the presence of strangers.

Nogampule went to the department’s district offices on Thursday to discuss the residents’ safety concerns.

This was after primary healthcare district manager Sindi Gede refused to go to the clinic, citing fears for her life.

The meeting did not take place and a security firm and the police were called to remove others who had wanted to attend.

Responding to the safety concerns raised by staff, Sicwetsha said there was a security guard.

Security guards at the clinic were held up at gunpoint last month and robbed.

Nogampule was one of the people to whose presence health officials objected.

Sicwetsha said a further meeting with the residents had resolved that services at the clinic would be suspended until Gede had visited it and observed the conditions under which staff had to work.

“The staff are eager to work but only if their safety is guaranteed, as even Gede fears for her own life,” Sicwetsha said.