Chuene Clinic at Ga-Chuene village near Polokwane has finally reopened its doors to the community after being closed for three weeks due to a horrific attack on staff members in January. The closure was necessary to provide support to the affected staff members, who were subjected to a break-in, abduction, and sexual assault.
Limpopo Health MEC, Dieketseng Mashego, stated that the clinic will not resume its 24-hour and weekend services for the time being. However, the department has made significant infrastructure improvements to enhance security at the clinic. This includes providing psychological services to the staff members and reinforcing security measures.
The reopening of Chuene Clinic has been met with relief by the community members who heavily rely on the facility for their healthcare needs. Patients like Marcia Mogale and Simon Shotolo express their gratitude for the clinic’s reopening, as they were forced to travel long distances to other clinics during the closure. The apprehension of the suspected perpetrator has also brought a sense of comfort to the community.
Representatives from the Chuene Royal Council, such as Jackson Chuene, have acknowledged the efforts of the provincial health department in reinforcing security and infrastructure at the clinic. While the clinic currently only offers day services from Monday to Friday, the hope is that normal operations will resume once staff members have fully recovered.
Nurses and workers at the clinic are hopeful that the repairs made to the fence, windows, and doors will enhance security measures. The presence of employee health wellness services practitioners on-site is also seen as a positive step towards assisting the traumatized staff members in their recovery process.
Both the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) and the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of staff and patients. The provincial health department has established a panel to oversee private security companies contracted to guard health facilities, ensuring compliance with service level agreements.
The suspect behind the brutal attack on Chuene Clinic, a 27-year-old man who was out on parole at the time, has been arrested and faces multiple charges including robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and four counts of rape. He is currently in custody and will appear in court on 09 April.
Overall, the reopening of Chuene Clinic signifies a step towards healing and restoration for the community. With enhanced security measures in place and ongoing support for the staff members, the clinic aims to once again become a safe haven for all who seek healthcare services.
