Healthcare services in Mangaung have recently faced a significant change, with some clinics cutting back on their emergency services that were previously available 24 hours a day. Clinics such as Winnie Mandela Clinic (Rouxville Clinic), Itumeleng Clinic in Botshabelo, and MUCCP in Phelindaba now only offer maternity services on a 24-hour basis, leaving residents frustrated and feeling uninformed about the changes.
One resident, Teboho Seliane from Botshabelo, shared his experience of his brother being turned away from Winnie Mandela Clinic after being stabbed. Despite needing emergency medical care, they were met by a security guard who failed to call an ambulance, forcing the family to seek alternative arrangements to get his brother to a hospital. Luckily, his brother survived, but this incident highlights the challenges residents are facing due to the reduced emergency services.
Another distressing incident occurred when Malefu Monnapula took her ailing father to MUCCP, only to be refused entry by security guards. Her father, who suffers from TB, had an attack that night, and despite pleading with the guard to call an ambulance, they were left stranded outside the clinic. Passersby were asked to call for help, but it never arrived, forcing the family to wait until a taxi finally took them home. The lack of assistance in such critical moments is alarming and raises concerns about the accessibility of emergency healthcare services.
The Free State Department of Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, stated that an ambulance was called for Monnapula’s father but did not find him as the family had made other arrangements due to the clinic’s reduced hours. However, this response does little to address the inhumane treatment faced by residents seeking urgent medical assistance.
The Taxi driver, Serame Kometsi, who assisted Monnapula and her father, described the distressing scene outside MUCCP Clinic and emphasized the need for better healthcare practices. The incident has sparked calls for a review of the clinic’s operating hours by organizations like the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), who believe that the facility should continue to operate 24 hours a day to serve the community effectively.
Despite the explanations provided by Mvambi regarding staff shortages as the reason for the change in operating hours, residents and advocacy groups like TAC are pushing for better solutions to ensure round-the-clock access to essential healthcare services. Free State Health MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi acknowledged the challenges in retaining staff and emphasized the importance of encouraging more individuals to study nursing to support the Public Health Care System.
In light of these incidents and the community’s outcry, it is crucial for authorities to address the shortcomings in healthcare services and prioritize the well-being of residents in Mangaung. Access to emergency medical care should not be compromised, and efforts must be made to ensure that all individuals receive the necessary assistance in times of need. The healthcare system plays a vital role in safeguarding the health and welfare of the community, and it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to provide reliable and accessible services to those in need.
