Residents of Kuruman are furious after the Department of Health allegedly left medical stock unsecured at the now vandalised Kalahari Regional Health Centre, a building the department vacated a few years ago.
The building in Cunningham Avenue was previously used by the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) before moving to the Kuruman Hospital.
It has been vandalised, and medical paraphernalia like needles, as well as medication ampoules, are strewn about the site. JTG EMS notices, dating back to March 2019, still adorn the walls, together with Nehawu announcements.
This follows an incident in February 2010 of officials at the Kuruman Hospital illegally dumping medical waste at the municipal landfill site. The case was subsequently investigated by the Green Scorpions. The medical waste has never been removed, or the landfill site rehabilitated.
According to a member of the Kuruman Neighbourhood Watch, the medication, medical paraphernalia and packaging were recently discovered strewn about the premises when they investigated complaints of drug abuse in the building.
“The medication and content of the ampoules range from less harmful to morphine, which is an addictive and deadly substance that should be locked away.
“It seems as if the emergency service personnel abandoned the building, carelessly leaving medical paraphernalia like needles and drip bags behind. We could see sealed and opened injection needle packages inside the building, as well as outside on the premises.
“This hazardous site should be cordoned off, sanitised and rehabilitated.
“We summoned the police to investigate the case. When one of our members called an official of the Department of Health to take responsibility, he denied that it was their building and medication. Only when the police intervened, did they pitch up to take the medical waste away.
“This state building, a public asset, has been vandalised and left to rot.
“It is utterly irresponsible and deplorable.”
Lulu Mxekezo, departmental spokesperson, says the EMS unit vacated the said building “due to its poor state at time of occupation”.
“The building was becoming unsafe for employees, as it was deteriorating, and it was easily accessible to thieves and other illegal trespassers. At the time of vacating the building, essential equipment and medicine stock were removed.
“It did not include scheduled drugs, as EMS do not keep these.
“There are plans in place to revamp the building through infrastructure projects.”
Mxekezo did not indicate if they would have the building sanitised or rehabilitated.
