GOOD statement by Shaun August
GOOD: National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
15 July 2022
Ongoing complaints over poor health services and cases of medical malpractice continue to plague the Wesfleur Hospital in Atlantis, where the community say they have no access to quality public health care.
During an oversight visit on Thursday, residents told GOOD they feel neglected because of the poor service they receive at the center which has been housed in temporary facilities for the past 40 years.
This despite promises by the Western Cape provincial government to build a permanent facility with adequate medical staff and equipment to accommodate the influx of patients.
Public healthcare in the province has been on the decline for years and poor communities bear the brunt of this failure.
In 2016 MEC Nomafrench Mbombo opened a Paediatric Theatre as an extension of the specialised care needed in this community for children and infants. However, without the necessary additional personnel, the responsibility was placed on the already severely overworked staff members.
The fact that the DA-led provincial government failed to build a permanent hospital for the people of Atlantis is a clear indication of their priorities in the province. In addition, the two primary healthcare clinics in the area are gravely understaffed and cannot alleviate additional constraints from district and provincial hospitals.
We call on the MEC to urgently intervene and ensure the highest quality of healthcare for this community. This will require a complete review of primary healthcare provision in the province.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD: National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za