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Following my exposure of poor conditions at the Malvern Clinic in east Johannesburg, the Gauteng Health Department says it is scheduled for minor upgrades in the 2025/26 financial year, including the connection of the water tank to the internal water pipes.

This is according to a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

My previous intervention got Joburg Water to restore the water and allow the reopening of the toilets, but urgent action is now needed to connect the water tank as the clinic has again been forced to close early because of water shortages in the area. These shortages will worsen because of major repairs to the Alexander Park Reservoir in Kensington.

There is no reason to delay the Jojo tank connection to the pipes as this can be done easily at little expense. Without this connection, staff must use buckets, and the toilets do not have flushing water.

I will take this up directly with the MEC for Health to intervene with Johannesburg Metro Council which runs the clinic and has the budget for repairs.

Minor upgrades are not enough as the clinic is too small and needs to be relocated.

The Department says: "... should there be a need to relocate the facility, the Gauteng Department of Health and the City of Johannesburg Municipality will follow all processes to find land and get approval from the City Council. This will be subject to the availability of budget."

I will work together with DA ward Councillor Neuren Pietersen to speed up this necessary move by identifying a nearby suitable site for the clinic.

The DA will identify other clinics with a poor environment and water shortages, and push for both short and long-term remedies to assist patients in accessing primary health care.

Issued by Dr Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health