Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Thinus Barnard and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here, here, here, and here.
The DA in Nala will write to the Provincial MEC of Health and the Bothaville Clinic Committee to seek answers on the severe staff shortages at Bothaville Clinic and the way forward to address the situation.
Professional nurses have gone on pension, posts have not been filled, and the clinic has been operating under increasing pressure, resulting in long waiting times and challenges in reaching daily targets.
The Bothaville Clinic is currently short of a nurse assistant, a professional nurse and a clinic manager. The manager was due to retire in January, leaving the clinic with only one mobile service and two nurse assistants to assist between 60 and 100 patients a day.
The staff shortage is placing significant pressure on the clinic and its remaining personnel, who must perform the same functions every day despite having fewer staff available. Patients are being forced to wait for long periods before receiving assistance, while some patients register but leave before being attended to because of the lengthy waiting times.
The new digital system, which requires patients’ information to be captured on computers, also takes considerable time and adds to the pressure on already overstretched staff.
The impact is particularly serious for elderly patients, some of whom cannot spend the entire day waiting at the clinic and are sometimes forced to return home without receiving the assistance they need. This creates a further barrier to accessing basic healthcare services for vulnerable members of the community.
The clinic is also experiencing maintenance challenges that fall under the Department of Public Works’ responsibility, adding to concerns about the facility’s condition and functionality.
As the Bothaville Clinic Committee, we urgently seek feedback on the steps that will be taken to address staff shortages, fill vacant posts, improve patient waiting times, and attend to the clinic’s maintenance concerns.
The DA will continue to engage with the relevant authorities to seek a rapid and positive response and ensure that Bothaville residents can access the healthcare services they deserve.