The community of Ezakheni and its outlying areas are bound to feel the pinch of limited hours of health services in the area as a result of crime.
Since its commissioning in the late 90's, the clinic has been rendering a 24 hour service. But now its 36-strong personnel, including professional nurses and therapists, have said “No!” to working in the area at night.
A litany of criminal attacks and abuse that date back to 2002 were revealed in a meeting called by the Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and attended by a Local Mayor; Police Management; Councilors; Clinic Management and community leaders on Wednesday.
Incidents include the stabbing of a security guard by a patient in 2005; the attack of a gunshot victim and staff by an assailant who followed the victim to the clinic; as well as rowdy and uncouth behavior of friends accompanying patients who dictate what treatment the nurses should give to their friends. In one disturbing case, a nurse was forced to abandon a woman who was in labour and instead prioritised treating an intoxicated man with a stab wound.
The latest attack, on June 26 2014 resulted in staff members getting psychological counselling after a criminal gang invaded the Clinic and assaulted security guards, took their cellphones, manhandled nurses and fired shots with a rifle. The following day no staff members turned up for work and thereafter a decision was taken not to operate after 4 pm.
Yesterday, Dr. Dhlomo informed the community of the repercussions of this decision, announcing that there are already people who have come, requiring emergency attention, and had been turned away and referred to St Chad's Clinic which is more than 30 kilometers away. Those who could not be assisted included a woman who was in labour, a stabbed man and an asthmatic child.
Ezakheni Township, where the clinic is built, has a serious problem of drug abuse and crime. The situation for the clinic is exacerbated by the fact that, 100 meters away from the facility, there is a tavern and a bottle store where many altercations emanate from.
Dr. Dhlomo asked the local leadership to organize a meeting with the whole community for next week and indicated that he will come with Safety and Liaison MEC, Willies Mchunu to address the general issue of crime that continues to cripple service delivery in the area. He indicated that in that meeting a decision will have to be taken on whether it is the clinic or the tavern that has to permanently shut its doors.
Remarking on the reduced working hours for the clinic and its possible closure, Dr Dhlomo said: “This is a painful decision. But it’s in the interests of our workers. We can’t sacrifice them at the altar of criminal elements. The people of this community must take a decision that they don’t want crime and start protecting both the staff and this healthcare installation. If they fail to do that then they are bound to suffer.”
Desmond Motha
Cell: 082 295 3901
