Health
Question by:
Hon Cameron Dugmore
Answered by:
Hon Nomafrench Mbombo
Question Number:
10
Question Body:
- Whether her Department, in coming to its decision to close the satellite clinic in Avontuur near Uniondale, consulted the local community before making its decision to close the clinic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether the reasons provided in the unsigned letter dated 7 September from the PHC Manager of the George Subdistrict were communicated to her or her Department by the staff at the clinic, the local community or anyone else; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether reasons were provided in writing to her Department; if so, by whom;
- whether this decision to close the clinic was based on a written report; if not, why not; if so, can a copy of the report be made available;
- whether her Department was aware of the conditions of the lease between Shell SA and Uniep; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether the Department is considering reopening the satellite clinic at another location in Avontuur; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer Body:
- The closure of the Avontuur Satellite Clinic was discussed numerous times at the Clinic Committee meetings. Staff at the facility also informed attending clients daily of the closure date and the alternative service which would be provided. The Avontuur Boere Vereniging (Farmers Association) was also informed in writing of the closure. The Community Health Workers also informed the community as part of public awareness.
- The Primary Healthcare manager is not aware of any letter but communicated the findings by the Department of Mobility on the suitability of the building, which was a donation by UNIEP SHELL.
- The Department of Mobility found the donated building, was unfit for purpose. In its findings, they concluded the following:
- ground water seepage was causing damp in the walls and floor of the building,
- low internal temperature in winter months,
- power failures due to groundwater seepage,
- no telephone services, no security, or storage area.
When UNIEP decided to sell the building, the Department was given notice to evacuate and subsequently is in the process of sourcing a suitable site for the clinic.
- Yes. The report can be obtained from the Department of Mobility.
- The building was a donation and not leased.
- The Department is currently exploring options to secure a site from where the clinic can be operational again. In the meantime the department is rendering services to Avontuur via the mobile clinic twice a week to clients on farms and in the area.
Date:
Friday, November 18, 2022
