A mom who is 38-weeks pregnant has complained of the pain of standing and waiting in the rain for more than two hours outside the Chestnut Way Satellite Clinic in Belhar.
Residents come to the clinic, which is specifically for child healthcare and family planning services, before work in the mornings to get their babies vaccinated.
Erica Phillips, 28, is furious after taking her one-year-old boy for vaccination on Thursday.
“I just finished working and am on maternity leave and came here because it’s supposed to be quicker and safer,” she says.
“I asked the security to let me in. My feet were swollen and my back was aching.
“ Die man vertel my k** van ek moetie klomp kinnes maakie. These damn securities think they own the clinic. Hulle maak my baie bef**.”
Dr. Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, says it is a risk to allow residents access to the clinic with no sister on duty.
“Chestnut Clinic is a satellite clinic for City Health that provides child healthcare and family planning services on Thursdays from 8am until 3.30pm,” he says.
“The two nurses allocated to render these services at the Chestnut Clinic first need to report to the main clinic at the St. Vincent Clinic to collect medication and vaccines.
“Currently, a home-based care NGO is using office space at the clinic and at times their staff are there before 8am.
“City Health strives to improve the patient experience and will introduce the appointment system in January.”