Reopening of Polokwane’s Chuene Clinic delayed

This comes after the provincial health department’s announcement on Tuesday that the clinic would be reopened following a four-day closure.

The clinic temporarily shut its doors after two nurses were abducted, assaulted and raped last week.

It is reported that the devastating incidents also included break-ins and robberies.

In a statement, Limpopo’s health department says the decision to keep the clinic closed follows a thorough reassessment.

“After careful consideration of the emotional and psychological toll these traumatic events have had on the staff, as well as taking heed of their legitimate safety concerns, the department believes it is in the best interest of both healthcare workers and the community to temporarily halt the clinic’s operations.”

The department has vowed to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement and community leaders, to ensure adequate protection at the clinic before it is reopened.

“The safety, well-being, and mental health of our healthcare professionals are of utmost importance, and their concerns must be addressed before any resumption of services can take place,” the statement read, “The department is committed to improving security measures at all healthcare facilities across the province to ensure that our healthcare workers can perform their duties without fear for their safety.”

In the meantime, community members are advised to continue seeking healthcare services at nearby facilities, including Maja, Soetfontein and Block B.

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