By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-North West Department of Health rubbish the rumours that were going around regarding closing down of Anti-Drug facility, located at Witrand Potchefstroom.

Democratic Alliance in North West released a statement confirming the closing down of the centre after some squabbles between department of health and Social Development.

DA Chris hattingh said the centre is critical in continuing fight against drug addiction, especially rife in the youth community concentrated in the educational hub, Potchefstroom, where a number of drug peddlers, including Nigerians, have been arrested recently. 

“The North West Department of Health is disturbed by media reports which suggests that the Witrand Drug Rehabilitation Center has been closed and patients are not receiving the service. After engaging all the stakeholders involved including the District, our sister Department of Social Development and the hospital, the Department can confirm that the Rehab Unit in Witrand is not closed” 

“The unit is running, fully functional and continues to render services according to its mandate, which is dual diagnosis treatment since 2010. Dual diagnosis treatment is when a client uses drugs/ substances and has psychiatric diagnosis. Social Development on the other hand is solely responsible for a single diagnosis treatment (Substance dependence/ abuse)” department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

“We do however admit that there has been challenges pertaining to payment between Health and Social Development. However, the challenges never at any point necessitated closing the center. It has always been a norm that, when the Department of Health renders a single diagnosis treatment, services are paid for by the department requesting the service” He said.  

A meeting was held between the two Department to resolved challenges of mutual interest. 

“The North West Department of Social Development today(three weeks ago) acknowledged to a meeting of the NW Social Development Portfolio Committee, that they have closed down the only state Drug Rehabilitation facility in the North West Province after a funding dispute with a sister Department, The NW Department of Health” said DA Chris Hattingh. 

However, the department refutes the claim and said the Rehab Unit is running and there are systems in place for referral of patients with single diagnosis should they mistakenly land in the Witrand Outpatient Department.  

“In this case, they are referred to the Service Point of the Department of Social Development at Dassierand around Potchefstroom. Patients are therefore continuing to receive dual diagnosis treatment at the Rehab Unit” Lekgethwane outlines.

“We can also confirm that this is the only Government institution in the province offering such a service hence we cannot close the center” he said.  

Other such services are however available in the private sector health facilities in the province he continues.

DA said in their statement that they will pursue the re-opening of the centre, Witrand Drug Rehabilitation Facility.

“Drug peddlers, including Nigerians, have been arrested recently after they took advantage of the situation” Hattingh said.

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