By OBAKENG MAJE
The delay on an R130 million community health centre (CHC) project in Sekhing village near Taung has affected the livelihoods of many people in the area. The project was marred with challenges after the previous contractor declared insolvency.
Now, this has left the residents with no choice, but to seek medical attention at the nearest healthcare facilities, which are over 15km away.
One of the residents, Tshetse Lontshitse (65) said it is costly to reach a primary healthcare facility. She said they have to travel more than 15km to access healthcare facilities in neighbouring areas such as Kgomotso village or Pampierstad township, which is in the Northern Cape.
“It is very difficult for us because to reach the nearby healthcare facilities is costly and burdensome. Sekhing is a remote rural area where many people are living beyond the poverty line, but we have to pay R30 in return for a taxi fare because the healthcare facilities are too far,” she said.
A representative from the Batlhaping Baga-Mothibi Tribal Authority, Gabriel Gaanakgomo shared the same sentiments. Gaanakgomo said it is so unfortunate to see residents going too far in order for them to access primary healthcare facilities.
“We have not received a word from the department since the MEC’s visit in August 2021. The lack of healthcare centres is challenging because people pay an excessive amount of money when hiring transport to ferry patients, who need an emergency to the nearest healthcare facility, especially during the night,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, who initially highlighted that the facility will open its doors at the end of May 2022, said they could not open the centre due to water challenges.
“The centre is ready to operate, but there is a water challenge. The reservoir that was supposed to supply the centre with water is malfunctioning, hence the delay. However, we are working tirelessly to ensure that the centre is operational.
“The project has experienced several challenges including the extension of the scope. The fact that the initial contractor declared insolvency, while others had no capacity and had to be terminated was another challenge,” Lekgethwane said.
He further said one or two wards needed attention and they estimated that by the end of May 2022, the centre should be operational. Lekgethwane added that there have been engagements that seek to ensure that health service delivery is not affected by cross-border challenges.
However, the Member of the North West Provincial Legislature, Gavin Edwards, who is the Democratic Alliance provincial spokesperson on Health said, it is depraved that the R130 million healthcare centre consists of an outpatient department, emergency medical rescue services, a pharmacy and staff accommodation has not provided a single patient with any medical care.
“This multi-million project is another clear indication that the ANC-run North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is not serious about quality healthcare to residents. In March 2019, Sambatha publicly announced that the facility was 90% complete and it would be handed over to the department at the end of March 2019.
“The fact that not a single construction worker is on-site again points to the fact that this centre will not be ready to provide much-needed medical services to the residents in the area any time soon,” Edwards said.
He called on Sambatha to institute an in-depth investigation to find the culprits that held up the project and heads must roll accordingly.
The Guardian 