Duncan Village clinic in nursing staff crisis

The two nurses who work at Gompo Clinic in Duncan Village were both on leave from Wednesday, leaving more than 80 people without medical care.

Health spokesman Siyanda Manana said the department was aware of the crisis and they were trying to sort the matter out.

“In that clinic we have two nurses and one matron. One of the nurses took authorised leave whereas the other had a family problem,” said Manana.

Minutes after the Daily Dispatch arrived at the clinic yesterday a car pulled into the driveway offloading three nurses.

The matron – who wore a tag with the name Majeke – then addressed community members apologising for the lack of nurses.

She refused to speak to the Daily Dispatch but told those gathered she had done all she could to remedy the situation.

“I have managed to borrow these nurses from other facilities so that at least you can get assistance today. I have reported the situation to my superiors. I trust that they will bring a solution,” she said.

Noluthando Gatyi, a resident from Duncan Village, said yesterday was the second time she had waited all day for help from the clinic this week.

“I was here yesterday at 5.45am and again today around the same time. when we asked why we were getting no assistance the response was that the nurses were on leave,” said Gatyi.

Some of the frail patients were sleeping on the lawn at the entrance to the clinic while others were on the veranda.

Manana said the district manager was sent to the clinic to assess the situation.

“Definitely there is a problem in that facility and we hope that the presence of the district manager will give us light to all the challenges of the facility so that the department can have a lasting solution,” said Manana.