Elderly face long trek to clinics, while Bumbane facility remains unused
Scores of elderly people who would love to receive medical attention at the Bumbane clinic near the Bumbane Great Place say watching a multimillionrand clinic go unused makes them angry.
Nearly 10 years after it was built, villagers still have to trek long distances to clinics in Qunu, Sithebe and Viedgesville areas, or pay for transport.
Bangikhaya Ginyimali, 71, said when he needs to fetch his monthly chronic medication, he leaves his home in Tantseka village at 5am to beat the queue at the clinic in Sithebe village.
“The clinic that would serve us well is the one in Bumbane. It was built in 2012 but is not working.
“As old as I am, I walk to that clinic once a month. I return home tired, sometimes without the medication because the clinic in Sithebe is overcrowded.
“I used to go every month but now I have asked the nurses to change my prescription to accommodate me for two months.
“Sometimes I hitchhike to the clinic because public transport is scarce. It saddens me that the Bumbane clinic is not working. We do not even know why,” Ginyimali said.
Zweliyanyikima Gcobotwana, 71, said: “We had high hopes when it was built because we knew it would put an end to our long journey to other clinics. We are just hopeful that one day it will fulfil its purpose.”
Nonezile Gwadiso said women have given birth on the long walk to clinics, as ambulances seldom came when called.
“Walking to the clinic especially the one in Sithebe is not safe, particularly for women and children as they can get raped in the veld.
“When it rains, one cannot cross the river to get to the clinic in Sithebe village.
“These are mostly elderly people from our villages who walk those long distances because we depend on social grants.
“A taxi fare can cost up to R40 return. The last time I went to the clinic in January I left home at 7am and arrived there after 10am.”
Noncedile Ginyimali, 60, whose 27-year-old son has been in a wheelchair for six years, saves her son’s disability grant money in case of an emergency.
“I hire private transport for R500 or more to take him to the clinic in Viedgesville or Qunu clinic when he is sick. It happens that in a month I might have to take him three times.
“At least if the clinic was operational I could wheel him there as it is closer to our home. I would be happy if it opened.”
Prince Siganeko Dalindyebo of the Bhotwe Traditional Council said it saddened him as a traditional leader that the clinic remained a wasted, unused facility.
He said the department had promised the clinic would be opened early this year — but to no avail.
“This affects Abathembu as they now have to spend money that they do not have, to go to these other clinics.
“As traditional leaders we have been pushing for it to open. We revived that while Zanelizwe was acting king. I am now perceived as a liar when I tell people what the government says about the clinic.
“I wish our government would stop coming to villages and boasting about developments that they do not fulfil,” Dalindyebo said.
Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the clinic was the “department’s priority”.
He said there were minor issues that had to be dealt with including procurement of furniture.
“The new MEC [Nomakhosaza Meth] has identified the concerns raised around that clinic.
“It is in our best interest and the interest of the communities of Bumbane for that clinic to be operational. In the next two months we should have dealt with the issues that are being raised there.
“The MEC has been talking to other social partners such as Gift of the Givers to attend to the issues of crime that threatens health services in Viedgesville in Mbekweni clinic following the attack of a nurse by criminals within that community.
“The issue of Bumbane clinic is being finalised to ensure that defects that were identified are fixed. The issue of staffing has already been dealt with,” he said.