Pretoria patients incensed by delayed opening of Boikhutsong clinic

It has been four months since the new Boikhutsong clinic in Soshanguve Block V was meant to open its doors. Patients say the current clinic building is in a terrible state and are demanding that the new facility start operating.

On Thursday, only emergency cases and women coming for antenatal care were allowed inside the old clinic. Scores of other patients, like those collecting chronic medication, were angered when staff turned them away. This follows a standoff earlier that morning and some staff left the premises due to safety concerns.

Construction on the new building started in May 2017. Earlier this year, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development Bongiwe Gambu said that the anticipated opening date for the new clinic was the end of March 2022. Gambu had blamed delays on issues with the land acquisition and red tape between the provincial government and City of Tshwane.

A health worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that community representatives, staff and union representatives met with the Office of the Premier in July. He said the rights and dignity of patients and staff is compromised in the current clinic building.