Long grass, dumps of rubbish, broken street lights and street signs are just some of the unsightly scenes in the public domain, that residents have to endure on a daily basis.
However, these eyesore scenes are now creeping into the properties of public service institutions, which are frequented by, amongst others, the elderly and the ill.
The latest place of neglect and of much concern to the community, is the Laudium Community Clinic, commonly known as the Laudium Hospital, on Bengal Street, Laudium Ext 3, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Government. Residents say what makes the place more dangerous is that the hospital is frequented by people who are not well and the long grass and rubbish around the hospital yard, poses a further threat to the already ill patients, visiting the hospital. Bengal Street resident, Yvonne Sinnye (60), who lives across from the hospital told the Laudium Sun, “This place used to be clean some time back, when there was a white lady who used to come often to clean the hospital yard and it’s surroundings. But now, since there is new management, they do not care about the health of the community, as this long grass and filth all over poses a danger to all those who come to the hospital. There are rats and flies everywhere, posing a serious health hazard. The problem in South Africa is that many people are getting paid for doing nothing, whilst so many other people are eager to work, even for just a few rand, so that they can feed their families. It is scary to walk through the unsightly grounds before entering the hospital building. What is worse is that the stench affects us living across from the hospital and many times we find rats in our yard coming from across.”
Another resident living near the hospital, Maliga Naidoo, also of Bengal Street, said, “The grass at the hospital has not been cut for months, with the place looking like a jungle now. It is unsafe to go to the hospital and I feel so sorry for the pensioners who have to walk into the hospital to collect their medication. It is very worrying because if the hospital does not care about the environment around it, how will they care about the people who are sick? Can we trust such people? The hospital board which is supposed to look at the interests of the community should step down, as clearly they do not care. If it not this long grass and rubbish, then it is the long queues there…”
Nancy Nkopana, Operational Manager at the Laudium Community Clinic said, “I have reported the matter to the department to cut the grass and have the place cleaned up. Hopefully they will come soon. It is because of the lockdown that we are in this situation.”
*As usual the local political parties are silent on issues that are seriously affecting the community.
Long overgrown grass welcomes patients as they walk toward the Laudium Hospital building.
Rubbish as pictured, is often dumped on the unkempt grounds of the Laudium Hospital.
Bengal Street resident, Yvonne Sinnye (60), said the hospital grounds are unsightly.
Nancy Nkopana, Operational Manager of the Laudium Hospital said the situation has arisen because of the lockdown.
