Hundreds of residents from the poorer areas of the Northern Suburbs marched to the Kraaifontein Day Hospital on Friday to demand better health services for the community.
Residents from Bloekombos, Wallacedene and Scottsdene walked together with ANC community leader, Siviwe Nodliwa, to hand over a memorandum to management at the hospital demanding “better doctors and immediate acknowledgement of our issues”.
Nodliwa, the assistant to ward councillor Simphiwe Nonkeyizana, said that poor people were dying because of hospital staff’s “negligence”.
Residents say they wait the entire day to see a doctor, if at all, and alleged hospital staff “gave preference” to criminals.
Wallacedene resident, John Demas, says the hospital is a deathtrap.
“A gangster gets shot and everybody jumps to assist, but we have to sit the entire day without assistance from the nurses or doctors. Weekends are the worst,” Demas says.
“You must pray hard and hope you get assistance from the staff. There is only one doctor on duty on the weekend and I always tell people to save and try to see a private doctor because you will die here waiting for help.”
MEMO: Facility manager Lehanna Steyn with memorandum, and Siviwe Nodliwa. Photo: Solly Lottering
Nosonke Roto, from the ANC Youth League, says the community has had enough.
“Our grandmothers come and die here because of the poor service. Ons is gatvol and we call on Sanco to help black and coloured people.”
Residents are asking for an upgrade at the health facility.
Hospital manager, Lehanna Steyn, received the memorandum and was given 21 days to respond.