Kimberley, Northern Cape – Frustrated Roodepan residents say they are suffering due to collapsed healthcare services at the local clinic, following a strike by community health workers over unpaid stipends.
Last week, a video showing long queues of patients waiting to be assisted by a single nurse went viral on social media. The healthcare workers downed tools last Thursday, alleging that the Northern Cape Department of Health had failed to pay their stipends.
Patients Turned Away, Forced to Seek Help Elsewhere
Linda April, 50, was among those affected. She recounted how she was turned away while seeking medical attention for her one-year-old grandchild, who was coughing and struggling to breathe.
“I was badly affected because that child was very sick,” April said. “I had to take him to Galeshewe Day Hospital myself, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. We had to walk in the dark to catch a taxi. The clinic could have helped us, but instead, we were left stranded.”
Failed 12-Hour Service Promises
The Roodepan Clinic was supposed to be part of the Department of Health’s 12-hour service initiative, but residents claim the project has failed.
“If you come after 11:00, they can’t help you. Even during the week, they turn people away,” one community member said. “They’re supposed to assist from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM, but by 3:30 PM, they’re already leaving.”
Department Denies Allegations, Union Fires Back
The Northern Cape Department of Health dismissed claims of neglect, stating that the clinic has sufficient staff and that patients are not being turned away.
“We categorically deny allegations that patients have been turned away or that community healthcare workers are not receiving their monthly salaries,” the department said. “These claims are unfounded and seem aimed at tarnishing the department’s reputation.”
However, the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAWU) has rejected the department’s statement, confirming that their members have not been paid for three months. The union accused the department of misleading the public as workers continue their strike.
Growing Anger Over Broken System
With healthcare workers refusing to return to work until their stipends are paid, Roodepan residents remain caught in the middle—forced to travel long distances for medical care while the dispute rages on.
As pressure mounts, the community is demanding urgent intervention from provincial health authorities to resolve the payment dispute and restore full services at the clinic.
