Kleinskool Residents Plead for Access to Proper Healthcare Facilities, Citizens Blame ANC
- Residents of Kleinskool in the Eastern Cape have spoken out about a serious lack of healthcare access in their community
- A community member described how many residents were forced to travel long distances to reach the nearest clinic
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the resident's appeal, blaming a political party for the ongoing problems
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
EASTERN CAPE – Residents of Kleinskool, an informal settlement in the Gqeberha area, are pleading for help in accessing proper healthcare.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, one resident of the area described how they had been without proper healthcare for far too long, noting that many had to travel long distances to visit a clinic.
The resident noted that a mobile clinic was available weekly, but that this mainly assisted with babies and birth control.
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"We are suffering here," she said.
She added that people were suffering with chronic diseases in Kleinschool, and that the majority did not have transport money to get to a clinic.
“It’s far, and it’s dangerous in this area,” she added.
Chronic patients left without care
The resident’s frustrations point to an issue that affects many communities across the Eastern Cape.
While mobile health units do visit areas like Kleinskool, the service is limited to once a week and covers mainly infant care and family planning. Those managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or HIV and TB have no reliable access to the monitoring and medication they need close to home.
Getting to the nearest fixed clinic means paying for multiple minibus taxi rides, a cost that is simply out of reach for many unemployed or low-income households. In emergencies, the financial burden often forces families to delay care or miss medication altogether.
South Africans weigh in on the resident’s appeal
Social media users commented on the appeal, with many blaming the African National Congress (ANC) for the ongoing problem.
@ShweleNgelosi said:
“In this day and age. The ANC will pay for its sins.”
@noxyraa added:
“But they are the ones voting for that party.”
@Kevin_Maredi_ agreed:
“Yet they keep giving the ANC their votes.”
@moonland1967777 claimed:
“Self-inflicted by voting ANC.”
@Lekitlanetumel2 said:
Viva ANC, Viva.”
Staff overwhelmed at Eastern Cape hospital
Briefly News reported that the Eastern Cape Health Department said that staff at Dora Nginza were overwhelmed.
Staff were overwhelmed due to increased patient volumes, with videos circulating online showing patients on the floor.
Social media users have weighed in on disturbing footage, sharing varied reactions to the video showing the unattended patients.
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Source: Briefly News
