Just two years since the northern areas’ Malabar Clinic, in Gqeberha, began operating on Mondays and Fridays, instead of just on Friday, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Ward 10 councillor, Lenny Moodley, and the rest of the community, now face possible closure of the clinic.
“There was a promise to open on Wednesdays as well. This has not materialised as yet, and now we have information that the clinic will be closed due to shortage of staff totally,” said Moodley. “You can imagine what this will mean for the community. What will happen to our sick? This is completely unacceptable, and we need more to be done.”
The frustrated councillor added that prior to the pandemic there were problems with gangsterism at the Gelvandale Clinic.
During this time the Malabar Clinic was opened five days a week, but this soon changed.
“Malabar Clinic is a satellite clinic of Helenvale Clinic, hence only operated Mondays and Fridays, due to space limitation to make it a clinic.” said the Eastern Cape Department of Health director, Sonia Lupondwana, in response.
“The clinic is, and has been, fully operational as recently as today (Monday, February 12). Shortage of staff is an endemic issue in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. This has led to the district being unable to fulfil the request of the councillor to add Wednesday as the third day in a week for providing health services. The staff asked to see management this week about the shortage of staff. An engagement meeting has been scheduled.”
For Moodley, his concern is how the possible closure of the clinic will have a major impact on the sick and the needy.
“I hope for a positive outcome for the people of this beautiful community. We need urgent assistance,” he concluded.
