A large snake recently led to the temporary closure of Mogoto Clinic in Zebediela, near Polokwane, Limpopo, leaving local villagers without access to essential healthcare.
The clinic was shut down for several days after the snake was spotted on the premises by both officials and residents.
Due to safety concerns, the clinic was abandoned until the snake could be captured. This situation created significant challenges for poorer villagers, who struggled to travel long distances to find alternative medical services. Many relied solely on the local clinic for healthcare, and the closure left them vulnerable.
Christina Chuene, a 46-year-old resident, expressed her concerns, stating, “The closure affected us a lot. Most of us don’t have money to go to other healthcare centres and suffered because we couldn’t get help. Villagers who fell sick had no choice but to stay home, risking their lives.”
Some villagers believe the snake may have come from nearby abandoned buildings. One local voiced their worries, saying, “Snakes belong in the bushes, not around people. It’s frightening how the snake can appear and disappear. We don’t feel safe.”
The community is urging authorities to act quickly to capture the snake and ensure their safety when using the clinic.
Neil Shikwambana, a spokesman for the Limpopo Health Department, confirmed that the clinic reopened on January 9 after taking several precautions.
“To ensure the safety of staff and patients, we called snake catchers to the site. We’ve installed snake-repellent mechanisms and secured all potential entry points,” he explained.
Community members also helped clean the clinic yard to create a safer environment for healthcare services.
-DailySun
