By Phila Ngcobo
Six years after the closure of Oakford Clinic in Verulam, residents of the surrounding communities lament having to travel longer distances to other villages for healthcare.
The closure comes after one of the staff members was shot outside the facility. According to a 2019 statement from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, which then-MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo released, condemned the murder of the 27-year-old nurse who was gunned down at the entrance of the clinic.
“It is alleged that colleagues of the nurse, who hailed from KwaMashu, heard gunshots being fired outside the clinic. When they went to investigate, they found her inside her car, with gunshot wounds to her head and hand. She was rushed to Osindisweni Hospital, where she was certified dead-on arrival, leaving behind an 18-month-old baby,” the statement read.
Following the incident, the clinic was closed and the community that relied on the clinic have been struggling to receive healthcare services within their vicinity.
One of the affected residents, Snethemba Muthwa (43) from Engqobheni, says that the closure of the Oakford Clinic has left her financially constrained.
“I work far from where I live, and I am forced to take a day from work whenever I have to collect my medication. Also, I have to spend a lot of money to reach our new assigned hospital (Osindisweni Hospital),” says Muthwa.
An elderly resident, Nomthandazo Xulu (73), says there was no need to take a taxi to reach the Oakford Clinic as it was easy to walk. However, they now have to pay to go to other clinics.
“I am no longer economically active; I now depend on the government pension fund, which sometimes gets delayed. That means if I don’t have money, I miss my medication collection date, as it is not easy to travel on foot to our new relocated healthcare facility,” says Xulu.
Zenhlanhla Ncube (18), who is a learner at the nearby Sacred Heart High School, alluded that the closure of the clinic affects them as learners, as they have to skip school whenever they are in need of healthcare services.
“Before the clinic was shut down, I was able to quickly go there if I felt sick; it was right next to my school. Now I am forced to skip school and miss lessons just to attend other healthcare facilities,” Ncube explained.
Speaking to Credible Source, KZN Health spokesperson, Ntokozo Maphisa, said for now there are no concrete plans to re-open the facility.
“We encourage communities to participate in safeguarding public services,” he briefly responded.
