GEORGE NEWS - Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in George staged a demonstration outside the gates of the Thembalethu clinic as part of their national Public Healthcare Campaign on Wednesday 28 February.

The red berets have vowed to focus on South Africa's public healthcare this year. With this campaign they intend exposing dysfunctionality in the country's public hospitals and clinics.

The campaign was launched by EFF Commander in Chief Julius Malema at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg. Picketing outside the Thembalethu clinic, EFF members delivered a list of requests to the clinic management which include that the Department of Health must employ more doctors and beds and that the clinic must be open 24 hours.

Meanwhile the Thembalethu Community Day Care Centre which was built last year has been completed, but will open after being handed over to the Department of Health, which is expected to happen in a few months.

The R66-million facility was commissioned by the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) for the Western Cape Department of Health.

This facility, which is bigger than the current facility, includes an infectious disease unit, chronic care unit, acute treatment unit and a pharmacy. The facility will also make provision for oral health, woman and child health, rehabilitation, therapy services and emergency services.

The issues the EFF want to address were raised previously by community leaders, when the Western Cape Health MEC, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, visited the new clinic in October last year.

At the time, Mbombo said that a number of things would be considered before the centre is opened. "We will also look at the 2018/19 financial budget and see if it does allow us to add more services to the centre."

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