WATERVAL – The Mpumalanga Department of Health has strongly refuted claims of a nursing staff shortage in the province.
Residents of Waterval in Dr. JS Moroka had raised concerns about the substandard service at their community health centre (CHC) after an unannounced visit to the clinic on Saturday, May 25,2024, revealed only one nurse on duty.
Lerato Sindane (38) expressed frustration, stating she had been waiting at the facility since 10 a.m. and had yet to receive assistance. “It’s now 2 p.m., and no one has helped me. There’s only one nurse here. Just now, she started helping us, but then an emergency came in, and now we’re back to waiting,” she complained.
Rose Kabinde (54) noted that she had been visiting the clinic for three weeks only to be told repeatedly that there was no flu medication available. “I have been told the same thing for three weeks,” she added.
Community Health Centres offer services similar to primary healthcare centres, but they also provide more advanced care, including 24-hour maternity services, procedure rooms, accident and emergency care, and beds.
Dumisane Malamule, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Health, denied claims of nursing staff shortages. “On the day in question, May 25, 2024, the facility was operating with four professional nurses on the day shift and two professional nurses and one enrolled nursing assistant on the night shift,” Malamule stated.
“There are no facilities in Mpumalanga Province that have facility-based doctors. The model used in the province involves doctors providing outreach services to primary health care facilities. At Waterval CHC, the doctor visits the facility weekly, every Tuesday.
“There is no shortage of medicines in Dr. JS Moroka. As of May 29, 2024, the sub-district stock level is at 92.5%, and Waterval CHC is at 90.5% against the national target of 90%. Alternate drugs are used as needed.”
