Chronic conditions in Northern Cape health clinics and hospitals were exposed and highlighted during a three-day parliamentary oversight visit – from crumbling infrastructure and medicine shortages to severe understaffing – and described as “unacceptable”, prompting urgent calls for intervention.
The Star reports that the Select Committee on Social Services had inspected health facilities across Kimberley, Kuruman, Danielskuil and Delportshoop, and said immediate corrective action was vital.
The delegation visited Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, Beaconsfield Clinic, Kuruman Hospital, Tshwaragano District Hospital, Wrenchville Clinic and the Delportshoop and Danielskuil clinics. The only facility that escaped criticism was the new Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital in Kimberley.
In Kimberley, the delegation visited the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, and Beaconsfield Clinic. In Kuruman, the oversight included Tshwaragano District Hospital, Kuruman Hospital and Wrenchville Clinic, while further visits were conducted at the clinics in Danielskuil and Delportshoop.
The committee reported a range of troubling issues common to nearly all facilities and which included ageing infrastructure, buildings too small to meet patient demand, shortages of essential medicines and severe staff shortages, all of which they said directly compromised the quality of care.
The committee has called on the Northern Cape Department of Health to prioritise urgent and sustainable interventions to strengthen the local healthcare system.
Committee chairperson Desery Fienies said the conditions were “unacceptable and must be addressed as a matter of urgency”.
She said the committee would monitor progress to ensure corrective actions were being implemented.
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