A recent oversight visit by the Democratic Alliance (DA) has uncovered deeply concerning conditions at the Namahadi Clinic in the Free State, prompting urgent calls for intervention from the Free State Department of Health. The DA is demanding immediate action to address what it describes as a state of neglect that is compromising the health, safety, and dignity of both patients and staff.
Heidre Malgas, the DA spokesperson for the Free State, expressed grave concern about the clinic’s deplorable conditions. “The grounds are overgrown with weeds, the grass is uncut, and the perimeter fence is broken, leading to a rise in security issues, including reports of break-ins,” said Malgas. These issues are not only a visual blight on the clinic but also a direct threat to patient and staff security.
Another alarming issue is the ongoing water leaks within the facility, compounded by the frequent water outages in the area. As a result, the clinic is often left without running water for days at a time, severely disrupting operations and creating an unhygienic environment for both patients and medical personnel.
The DA also reported troubling levels of patient overcrowding and excessive waiting times, with some residents arriving at the clinic as early as 07h30 only to wait for hours before being seen. This delay significantly affects patient care and accessibility to essential health services.
In addition, several clinic restrooms are out of order, posing serious hygiene and health risks to everyone using the facility.
“The Free State Department of Health must take immediate action to remedy these conditions,” Malgas urged. “We cannot allow our clinics to fall into such disrepair. Every resident in the Free State deserves safe, dignified, and quality healthcare.”
The DA has confirmed that it will raise these issues in the Free State Legislature, pressing the Health Department for urgent and sustained intervention.
Why it matters:
The situation at Namahadi Clinic serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing healthcare services in rural and underserved areas of South Africa. The DA’s call for reform highlights the urgent need for government accountability and better resource allocation to ensure that every South African has access to dignified and effective healthcare.
