By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of Vaaltyn village in Taung have applauded the North West Department of Health for coming up with innovative models in addressing their healthcare needs. This comes after the department brought a mobile healthcare clinic to the area on a weekly basis.
A week ago, the irked residents embarked on a poor service delivery protest, amongst others, demanding a mobile clinic.
One of the community leaders, Keabetswe Modisaotsile said it has been a while since the mobile clinic visited their area. Modisaotsile further said a mobile clinic plays a pivotal role and reduces health disparities, especially among disenfranchised community members.
“We are now happy that vulnerable individuals in our area, including our elders with chronic illness, will have easy access to health facilities. For some people, mobile health clinics are the only means to lifesaving medical treatment.
“For many years, we had access to the mobile clinic only on a monthly basis. This has affected many livelihoods because most residents seeking medical attention have to either go to Reivilo or Mokgareng village,” she said.
Modisaotsile added that affordable healthcare may not be possible without mobile clinic services in their area. She said it is worrisome to see vulnerable people with low-income, continue to face disproportionately negative health outcomes.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health’s District Director in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Abednego Mvula said: “We have learned with shock that the mobile point at Vaaltyn village is not rendering services to the community. The opening and closing of health facilities is strictly the authority of the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha and not officials.
“The district has immediately reinstated the services at Vaaltyn. These services will be rendered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The district has launched an investigation to determine the remedial course of action to be taken against any official for wrongdoing.”
Mvula said the community is further advised to always report inadequacies in service delivery to the district for immediate intervention. He said the department profusely apologise for the lack of services in the area and will uphold a high quality service delivery at this mobile point.
“Regular monitoring and evaluation will be done to establish whether a fixed clinic is required to be prioritised for the Vaaltyn community,” said Mvula.
The Guardian 