Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estelle Pretorius and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will escalate the healthcare crisis in Tswelopele to provincial and national government structures and continue to apply pressure until urgent corrective action is taken. Our residents cannot continue to suffer from a collapsing healthcare system that denies them dignity and access to proper medical care.
After receiving numerous complaints from community members, I conducted an oversight visit to clinics across Tswelopele. What I found was deeply concerning and a clear reflection of how the ANC government continues to fail our people.
Clinics are operating under terrible circumstances. There are not enough medical personnel, and many are resigning because they are forced to work under extreme pressure without sufficient medication and supplies.
They crack due to these stressful conditions.
The few health workers who remain are under enormous stress, along with district health supervisors and others, who are equally stretched beyond their capacity. No replacements are allowed because of insufficient funds.
Instead of prioritising service delivery, the government continues to place underqualified individuals in senior positions, individuals who merely move from clinic to clinic, performing window-dressing exercises to pass health inspections, while communities suffer.
This is grossly unfair to residents who are left without enough ambulances, without proper medical care, without resources, and without medication.
To make matters worse, mobile clinics that served farm communities across our vast rural area were abruptly halted due to staff shortages. Instead of solutions, the government shifts problems around, leaving the vulnerable to pay the ultimate price.
How much more collateral damage can South Africa afford under the ANC government?
Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet our communities are being denied dignity and access to proper medical services.
The DA will investigate this matter further and put pressure on the government to address this crisis immediately, as this neglect is costing lives.