Prioritise security at health facilities – DA Limpopo

SEKHUKHUNE – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has called for urgent attention on underperforming and inadequate security services at health facilities in the province.

The DA’s call follows reports of three gunmen who entered Mogoboya Clinic in Maake, pretending to have brought a patient, and robbed a security guard of his service firearm. Two weeks ago, armed suspects broke into Moletlane Clinic near Zebediela, tied up the guard and also stole cellphones, medicine and medical equipment.

Risham Maharaj, DA Limpopo Spokesperson on Health, said the growing number of criminal incidents at Limpopo health facilities brings the standard of security at the facilities in the province into question.

Maharaj indicated that in September 2020, the Limpopo portfolio committee on health conducted site visits to 20 health facilities and raised the need for proper security measures such as adequate palisade fencing at clinics and the need to address security at nurses’ housing to ensure staff safety.

“The current security companies and measures in place seem to be inadequate and are failing to prevent theft and security breaches at hospitals and clinics in the province. We call on Ramathuba to improve security measures at health facilities in the province, especially in rural clinics and hospitals, and to collaborate with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure visible policing and their regular presence at health facilities at night,” said Maharaj.

Maharaj further indicated the DA has escalated the matter to the Limpopo Department of Health and written to Health MEC, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba to prioritise security at health facilities.