DEPARTMENT SUSPENDS ON CALL SERVICE AFTER A BREAK IN AT THE CLINIC
The Limpopo Department of Health has suspended the on call system at Makgope Clinic in the Greater Tzaneen area. This after armed men gained access into the clinic by breaking down the pallisade fence. They then accosted the security personnel, assaulted them and robbed them of their cellphones before demanding firearms.
The decision for the suspension of the on call duty system is to ensure that the department is able to work on measures which will guarantee the safety of the staff memmbers in the clinic. This include fixing the broken pallisade fence among others. Criminal activities at health institutions have been thorn on the side of the department, especially on its attempt to make clinics function at night.
The department has just employed over 300 nurses, the majority of whom will be placed in Primary Health Care facilities in order to expedite the 24-hour functioning of clinics. However, even with increased staff members it will be impossible for clinics to operate at nihht while criminals are still threatening their saftey by breaking into facilities. The department once again calls on community members and stakeholders to work with it and law enforcement agencies to clamp down these criminal activities, which are threatening the uninterrupted provision of health care in the province.
