The temporary closure of the Westdene clinic has raised growing concerns among residents about increased pressure on surrounding healthcare facilities, particularly as the busy winter season is coming up.
Following public criticism over communication surrounding the closure, residents have now raised concerns about overcrowding, long waiting times, staff relocation and the department of health’s readiness to manage the additional demand while work continues at the facility.
One resident commented online, saying “Irrespective if it was communicated, there is now congestion at National, and employees’ time off at work is more. And for those working in Westdene, they now have to incur extra costs to get to National Hospital.”
Another resident added “The move from Westdene to Gateway has been a complete mess. I was there on Wednesday, and nobody seemed willing to help. There were hundreds of people waiting, and the staff were rude and unhelpful. It took me almost four hours just to get my medication.”
Responding to the concerns, Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the temporary closure of the Westdene clinic has resulted in a slight increase in patient numbers at Gateway Clinic, but measures have been implemented to minimise disruptions and maintain continuity of care.
“These include redistribution of human resources, monitoring of patient headcounts and service pressures, strengthening medicine availability processes, and continuous assessment of operational needs to ensure facilities remain functional and responsive to community healthcare needs.”
He further confirmed employees from the Westdene clinic have been temporarily relocated to other healthcare facilities within the subdistrict to continue rendering services. The department is aware of the increased healthcare demands typically associated with winter, particularly flu and respiratory illnesses.
“Preparedness plans are in place at facility level, including monitoring patient volumes, ensuring availability of essential medication and supplies, and ongoing support to facilities to manage increased service demand effectively,” he said.
Mvambi assured residents the department continuously monitors service delivery challenges, including complaints related to overcrowding, waiting times and access to healthcare services, with operational interventions implemented where necessary.
