At least 10 years after the dissolution of the committee at the Kruisfontein Clinic, community members have banded together to form a new committee to address the enormous challenges faced at the local clinic.
The treasurer, Joabin Saffier, said that the clinic currently faces a variety of challenges, which include a shortage of staff and safety concerns since there is a need for correct fencing, and the need for proper ablution facilities.
Chairperson Shane Leyong said that the clinic has been without a committee and an operational manager since 2014, and in the interim was being managed by the head sister, Natalie Didloft, who had to work under difficult conditions.
Finally, after being without a functional committee for 10 years, members of the community have come together to form a new committee to help deal with the challenges faced at the clinic.
Leyong said that after an operational manager was appointed last year; the committee was established in October 2023, and the new committee members were appointed on February 29.
“The appointment of a new committee is not only a victory for the community, but for the staff at the clinic, the management team, and Ward 5,” said Leyong.
Now that the clinic has its own committee, he said that they want the community to know that there are people who will voice their concerns and work on solutions for the challenges faced at the clinic.
However, Leyong said that it is important for the community to work together with the committee to improve the clinic.
“The purpose of the committee plays a vital role in ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the governance of public clinics through public participation, assisting in addressing health needs of the communities they serve, and ensuring accountability and effective management of the facilities,” said Leyong.
“The function of the committee is to oversee the provision of primary health care packages and adhere to the general norms and standards of a primary health care facility.”
In addition to working on solutions for the challenges at the clinic, Saffier said that the committee also wanted to change the negative perception that the community has about the clinic, and encouraged the community to get involved in activities and programmes there.
Leyong said that the committee would work hard in partnership with all relevant stakeholders, the private sector, and businesses, to provide better health care services to the community.
He further said that they are hoping that businesses will consider helping the clinic, which will assist the committee in serving the community.
Committee members:
- Shane Leyong – chairperson,
- Ashwell Goliath – vice-chairperson
- Tanya Felix – secretary
- Joabin Saffier – treasurer
Additional members:
- Ward councillor – Melanie Nicholls
- Robert Hatjies
- Nadine Booysen
- Venicia Gysman
- Chandrion Windvogel
- Jeffrey Witbooi
- Zelda Magielies
- Sister Eleanor Engelbrecht
For challenges faced at the clinic, the community is encouraged to make use of the complaint box.
In addition, Leyong said they will create a WhatsApp group where the community can voice their concerns, and they will be sharing a contact number for better communication soon.
