Question NW4568 to the Minister of Health
23 December 2022 - NW4568
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
When will the municipal clinic in Merafong, Khutsong Extension 3 be opened 24/7, as it is the only public healthcare facility that operates during the week and only until 4pm? NW5697E
Reply:
In line with the Primary Health Care Package Norms and standards, clinics operates 8 hours a day and 5 days a week and a Community Health Centres (CHC) operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. For the PHC facility to qualify to operate for 24 hours, the following criteria need to be met:
• Annual facility head count should be ± 120 000
• Monthly average headcount of 10 000.
According to the District Health Information System (DHIS) Annual Report 2021/2022, the head count for the Clinic in Extension is 22 779 which is far below the required head count, whilst monthly average headcount was 1898. For the current year, the monthly average headcount is 2170. In addition, acceptable travelling distance to the nearest facility is 5 km. The Clinic in question is within 3.8 km radius to the Khutsong CHC which is open for 24 hours and 7 days a week. The Clinic in Extension 3 therefore does not meet the criteria to operate for 24 hours and 7 days a week.
END.