The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba to urgently address the concerns of the Shikhumba Community over claims of exorbitantly priced plans to repair the Shikhumba Clinic.
The Shikhumba community structures have raised serious concerns over the Department’s plans to repair and maintain the small clinic at an amount of R7.5 million instead of building a standardized clinic.
The Clinic that services the villages of Shawela, Shikhumba, Nsavulani and Mahumani in the Giyani area has had a historical challenge of a dilapidated clinic building and nurse housing.
The Infrastructure Management Unit of the Department of Health has set out two contracts for the clinic’s repair. The first is for R4.6 million for the general maintenance and repair of the main clinic, the work includes replacement of doors, window panes and window frames as well as the installation of floor tiles and a ceiling.
The other contract is for R2.9 million for the general maintenance and repairs at two staff accommodation blocks and includes installation of ceiling and floor tiles as well as the installation of a carport structure for an ambulance bay.
The community has raised many concerns and claims around the plans for the clinic. The largest concerns amongst these are that:
- The exorbitant cost of the two projects at R2.9 million and R4.6 million (a total of R7.5 million) could have been used to build a new clinic.
- It was a “cut and paste” contract because the specifications and measurements of materials needed for the nurse’s accommodation are far less than what is stated in the contract.
- The specifications and measurements of materials needed for the clinic do not correspond with ones in the contract.
- The Removal and replacement of the roof was not properly done as old timber was used in the two nurse houses.
- The Clinic has already been renovated numerous times and should be replaced since the building is old and was constructed by the community using mud bricks.
- The tender be investigated to determine if it was correctly handled
- Issues outlined in their petition such as insufficient nurse accommodation, no night shift and lack of a maintenance team are addressed.
The Shikhumba community structures have indicated a desire for the community to engage with the Department of Health and have distanced themselves from the clinic project until their concerns are addressed.
Healthcare facilities are meant for the communities they serve, it is unacceptable to have a situation where plans for the clinic do not have the buy-in of the community. MEC Ramathuba and her department should engage the community and settle this matter urgently.
The DA will continue to monitor this issue to ensure that the Shikhumba community receive an appropriate healthcare facility.