Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Robert Ferendale and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Joseph Mbele.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Heilbron, Ngwathe has written to the Free State Department of Health regarding staffing shortages and deteriorating conditions at Relebohile Clinic.
The clinic serves the greater Heilbron community, yet patients are frequently sent home without medical care due to a higher patient volume relative to the number of healthcare workers on duty. This includes patients who require chronic medication, placing vulnerable residents at serious risk.
Information provided by a health worker who asked to remain anonymous highlights the extent of the staffing crisis at the facility. According to the information received, six professional nurses left the clinic in 2018, and an assistant nurse also retired.
Two additional assistant nurses were transferred to other facilities, another assistant nurse has since retired, and the operations manager left the clinic late last year. These positions have reportedly not been filled.
Healthcare workers at the clinic continue to do their best under extremely difficult circumstances. Staff members are often forced to work late into the evening to assist as many patients as possible, and in many cases, lunch breaks are reduced to only a few minutes so that more residents can be helped.
In addition to the staffing crisis, the overall condition of the clinic premises is also a concern. The facility’s yard is reportedly poorly maintained due to the absence of a caretaker responsible for cleaning and general upkeep.
The DA believes that the current situation is unacceptable and places unnecessary strain on both patients and healthcare workers. Residents of Heilbron deserve access to reliable and dignified healthcare services.
The health and well-being of our residents cannot be compromised.