Gauteng laying groundwork to pilot 24-hour clinic in Olivenhoutbosch

JOHANNESBURG - Government is laying the groundwork to pilot a 24-hour clinic in Olivenhoutbosch after years of complaints from residents over understaffing, long queues, and medicine shortages.

Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko toured the overburdened facility on Tuesday, where healthcare workers struggle to meet the needs of a growing community.

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They used the visit to announce plans to extend the clinic’s operating hours, a move that would allow more patients to be assisted and reduce the strain on exhausted healthcare teams.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said population growth in the area had outpaced service delivery.

"There is a high number of people coming here. The population is growing in this place, but the services, in terms of this heart of health, have not been growing with it.

"That’s why at some stage Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] said there must be a hospital built, whether it’s a regional or district hospital, and we’re looking into all those options."