With the Lavender Hill Clinic facing possible closure, the date for public engagement with the community is yet to be set.
Eslynn Apollis, executive support officer to Mayco member for Community Services and Health Patricia van der Ross, says community engagement will take place to find a way forward.
“The City’s health department confirms that no closures of clinics have been confirmed.
“Please note there will be community engagement once there is greater clarity on the way forward,” says Apollis.
Yaaseen Staggie, an activist from the 7945 community action group, says residents will not accept having their clinic closed.
“We can never accept that this would happen; we need our clinic. The community is not happy and what I have heard is that there are no funds to keep the clinic open so they would rather close it. We are not going to accept that.”
While some residents were upset about the possible closure of the clinic, others were not aware of the public participation process.
In a Facebook post, Chrizelda Arendse wrote that service would be slower at Seawinds Clinic if the Lavender Hill Community Clinic is to be closed down.
“How can they close Lavender Hill Clinic?”
Mary Bam wrote that the waiting periods at clinics were already quite long.
“A lot of mothers are already not taking their children to clinics for a weight check, deworming and vitamins. Or even when they get sick, the waiting periods at the clinics are too long so they don’t go, which makes the risk of kids getting ill much higher.”
Taryn Moosa wrote that the Lavender Hill Clinic was the only clinic in the area.
“It’s the only clinic here and what about Capricorn people and Seawinds? Think twice people?”
Resident Chris Cupido agreed that the clinic should remain open.
“No, the Lavender Hill Clinic must stay open. Seawinds clinic is already full. I think they must build a clinic in Capricorn.”
Faranaaz Naidu, who also responded on Facebook, feared that it was too late to keep the clinic open.
“Apparently, it’s too late. This was decided long ago. I think about two years ago, staff at the clinics already got other posts.”
Naidu wrote it would be wrong if there was no public participation.
“From what I’ve heard last February, the clinic is being closed due to lack of finance and staff were just waiting to move.
“Where will all the people go with sick children, flock to Seawinds and Retreat? How is that going to happen?”
Karen Doalingo, who said she was a volunteer at Lavender Hill Clinic, commented that only a small percentage of people knew about the possible closure.
“I am volunteering at Lavender Hill Clinic and not even 10% of people know the clinic is going to close and it’s sad for the patients, especially the TB and HIV patients.
“If you look at the shootings in our area and gangsters fighting over turf, a lot of these people will not even get their treatment. We can only imagine what would happen if someone don’t get treatment. It’s sad, but it’s going to happen, closing will be by end of June this year.”
She questioned what the community would do about the situation.
“What is the community going to do about the closing of the clinic? A community that does not even know about it. How do we make the community aware of the situation?”
