PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE WELCOMES PROGRESS AND FUTURE EXPANSION PLANS DURING FOLLOW-UP OVERSIGHT VISIT TO MMAKAUNYANA CLINIC

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development yesterday conducted a follow-up oversight visit to the Mmakaunyana Clinic in the Moretele Local Municipality to assess progress made by the North West Department of Health in implementing resolutions arising from the Committee’s previous oversight visit in May 2025.

The oversight visit was led by the Chief Whip of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon. Motlalepula Rosho, together with Committee Member Hon. Hendriette van Huyssteen, as part of the Legislature’s Oversight Week programme aimed at strengthening accountability and improving service delivery at public healthcare facilities.
During the visit, the Committee received a comprehensive briefing from the Facility Manager, Ms Thandi Gaompitse, who presented an overview of the clinic’s operations, service delivery and current challenges.

She informed Members that Mmakaunyana Clinic is one of four healthcare facilities in the area providing seven-day, 12-hour healthcare services to a catchment population of more than 11 741 people. The facility comprises seven consulting rooms, from which a range of primary healthcare services is rendered to surrounding communities.
The Committee also received a briefing from the Chief Director for the Bojanala District in the Department of Health, Mr Pule Monale, who reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services at the facility.

He informed the Committee that the Department is working towards upgrading Mmakaunyana Clinic to provide 24-hour healthcare services, subject to the resolution of current staffing challenges. Mr Monale further indicated that the Department is planning to expand the clinic’s maternity ward capacity in the near future to improve access to maternal healthcare services for communities served by the facility.

Members were further briefed on progress made in implementing recommendations arising from the Committee’s previous oversight visit. The Committee noted that several maintenance-related concerns had since been addressed, including the repair of the clinic’s sagging washing line and the installation of a new mortise lock on the generator room door.
Officials also informed the Committee that the Electrical Certificate of Compliance and the Occupancy Certificate remain outstanding. Members were advised that both matters have been escalated to IDTS, which is working with the Bojanala District to secure the outstanding statutory compliance certificates.

During the walkabout inspection, Members acknowledged the commendable efforts of community volunteer Mr Chuma, who maintains the clinic’s vegetable garden.
The Committee welcomed the initiative as an example of active community participation in supporting public healthcare services. The garden, which includes spinach, cabbage, other seasonal vegetables and a lemon tree, contributes to the clinic’s environment while promoting healthy lifestyles. Mr Chuma used the opportunity to appeal for assistance in the form of vegetable seeds, protective workwear and basic gardening implements to enable him to sustain and expand the initiative.

The Committee welcomed the progress made in addressing several issues previously identified during its oversight visit in May 2025, while emphasizing the importance of expediting the outstanding statutory compliance matters to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with the required health, safety and infrastructure standards.
Members further welcomed the Department’s plans to extend the clinic’s operating hours to a 24-hour service and to expand its maternity ward capacity, noting that these interventions would significantly improve access to quality healthcare services for the surrounding communities.

“Oversight does not end with identifying challenges; it continues until solutions are implemented. We welcome the progress made and will continue monitoring the outstanding commitments to ensure better healthcare services for our communities”, Hon Rosho said.

The Portfolio Committee reaffirmed its commitment to exercising effective legislative oversight over public healthcare facilities across the province to ensure improved service delivery and better health outcomes for all communities.