THE residents of Tlholwe Village in Lebotloane, North West need help.
They are appealing for equipment and for nurses to be made available at a clinic they built themselves. According to the residents, they contributed almost R180 000 to build a building they want to make their clinic.
Village headman Tebogo Baloyi said it’s hard for the residents as they don't have a health facility in their area.
Baloyi said the mobile clinic is not helpful because sometimes it doesn't come.
He said they started building the clinic in 2021 and completed it in 2022.
"We're appealing to the government, municipality and organisations to help us in equipping this building that we hope can be our clinic," he said.
Baloyi said the government knows that they want a clinic.
"What we're asking for is for the government to come on board and help us with equipment and provide us with health officials as the building is already standing," he said.
ALSO READ: Vumani comrades: ANC MP now a sangoma!
He said residents are still hopeful theyll have a permanent clinic in the village one day.
"Government, please help us. We feel neglected. We won't stop begging," Baloyi added.
Villager gogo Eva Masilo (65) said: "We're appealing to the government to help us finish our clinic. We don't have transport to ferry ill people to faraway clinics."
Another resident, Louisa Chauke (53), said: "We have young people who can work as nurses, cleaners and security officers. This clinic will help us create employment for our children."
North West Health Departmental spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said they have enquired from the district management and are aware of the above matter.
He said they will brief the MEC during his visit to Lebotloane on Thursday, 5 October.
"The immediate challenge is that Tlholwe doesn't meet the criteria for a fully-fledged health facility as per national guidelines. This is because the catchment population is low. Currently, the community is serviced from a health post mobile clinic," said Lekgethwane.
