No plans to build clinics in Ekurhuleni places health system under severe strain
Statement by Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane — DA Shadow MMC for Health & Social Development in Ekurhuleni
Date: 07 April 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is concerned that there are no plans to construct any new clinics, nor upgrade existing ones, in the ANC-led City of Ekurhuleni during the upcoming 2021/22 Financial Year.
This was revealed through questions posed by the DA in the Provincial Legislature to the MEC for Health, Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi, who indicated that budget for the construction and upgrade of Ekurhuleni’s clinics had been reprioritized.
While the construction of new clinics in the Metro have been put on hold indefinitely, the following projects were put on hold in various stages of planning:
· Magagula Clinic
· Northmead Clinic
· Winnie Mandela CHC
· Kwa-Thema CHC
· Daveyton Main Clinic
This is of major concern as Ekurhuleni’s health system has taken major strain due to staff shortages, overcrowding and surges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
During a global pandemic it is vitally important that community’s health and wellbeing is looked after. Sadly, the ANC and its coalition partners* have failed to prioritise this, which means residents and communities will continue to suffer due to poor planning and leadership.
The DA in Ekurhuleni considers this unacceptable given the health care needs of the City’s residents. As a result, the Party will be writing to the MEC and request that they review their decision and once again prioritize the construction and upgrading of the Metro’s healthcare facilities.
*Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)
Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane
DA Shadow MMC for Health & Social Development in Ekurhuleni
